A2955

An Act designating the portion of Interstate Route 280 in the Township of West Orange as the “Governor Brendan Byrne Memorial Highway.”

Whereas, Governor Brendan T. Byrne was born on April 1, 1924 in the Township of West Orange, New Jersey; and

Whereas, Governor Byrne graduated from West Orange High School in 1942 and briefly attended Seton Hall University in the Township of South Orange Village before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in March 1943; and

Whereas, Governor Byrne served as a squadron navigator in World War II and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals; and

Whereas, Upon discharge from military service in 1945, Governor Byrne pursued his academic endeavors and graduated from Princeton University in 1949 and Harvard Law School in 1951; and

Whereas, In October 1955, Governor Byrne was appointed an assistant counsel to Governor Robert B. Meyner and was named the acting executive secretary to Governor Meyner in 1956; and

Whereas, Governor Byrne became a deputy attorney general in charge of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in 1958, was appointed Essex County Prosecutor in July 1959, and was later re-appointed as Essex County Prosecutor by Governor Richard J. Hughes in 1964; and

Whereas, In 1968, Governor Hughes appointed Governor Byrne as the President of the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners and in 1970, Governor Byrne was appointed as a judge of the Superior Court by Governor William T. Cahill; and

Whereas, In 1973, Governor Byrne resigned his position as a judge to become a candidate for Governor and on November 6, 1973, Governor Byrne was elected Governor of the State of New Jersey; and

Whereas, Governor Byrne served two terms as Governor, from 1974 to 1982, and was essential to the establishment of professional sports teams in the Meadowlands and to the passage of several important laws, including the implementation of the State income tax to finance schools and provide property tax relief, the legalization of casino gambling in the City of Atlantic City, and the curtailment of development in the Pinelands; and

Whereas, Through his many years of public service, Governor Byrne served with integrity and was known as “the man who couldn’t be bought”; and

Whereas, After making numerous contributions to the State through his various positions, Governor Byrne passed away on January 4, 2018; and

Whereas, With steadfast dedication to the people of the State of New Jersey and an extensive career in public service, it is fitting and proper for the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to honor the memory of Governor Brendan Byrne by designating the portion of Interstate Route 280 in the Township of West Orange as the “Governor Brendan Byrne Memorial Highway”; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the portion of Interstate Route 280, extending from milepost 6.53 to milepost 10.15, in the Township of West Orange as the “Governor Brendan Byrne Memorial Highway” and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.

2. State or other public funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions. Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill designates Interstate Route 280 in the Township of West Orange as the “Governor Brendan Byrne Memorial Highway” to honor the memory of Governor Brendan T. Byrne. Through his extensive career in public service, Governor Byrne made numerous contributions to the State and served with integrity in each position. Governor Byrne was essential to the establishment of professional sports teams in the Meadowlands and to the passage of several important laws. The Legislature honors Governor Byrne’s steadfast dedication to the people of the State of New Jersey, his extensive career in public service, and his many contributions to the State.

Consistent with Department of Transportation policy and other road designations, the bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation for the “Governor Brendan Byrne Memorial Highway.” The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive financial assistance from private sources for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation.