Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Honors Chessie Roberts for her service in the Elizabeth schools and community.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution honoring Chessie Roberts for her exemplary service in the Elizabeth Public Schools and community activism.
Whereas, Chessie Roberts served the Elizabeth school district as a typing and business education teacher for over 30 years; and
Whereas, Ms. Roberts was one of the first African-American teachers in the business department of Elizabeth Public Schools; and
Whereas, In addition to her educational service in the school district, Ms. Roberts was also known for her dedication to, and involvement in, her community; and
Whereas, Ms. Roberts proudly worked for the Urban League of Union County under William Ashby, New Jersey’s first African-American social worker; and
Whereas, Ms. Roberts proudly served on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Committee in Elizabeth, raising money from the African-American community for the memorial dedicated to Dr. King; and
Whereas, Ms. Roberts advocated for the integration of public housing in Elizabeth, fighting for equal opportunities for African-Americans; and
Whereas, Ms. Roberts used her extensive wisdom and kindness as a guide to serve her community; and
Whereas, Elizabeth school district has honored Ms. Roberts by renaming a public school to “Chessie Dentley Roberts Academy School #30;” now, therefore;
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Governor and the Legislature of the State of New Jersey honor the exemplary service of Chessie Roberts as an educator and community leader in the City of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to Chessie Roberts, the Elizabeth Public Schools Board of Education, the mayor of Elizabeth, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Committee in Elizabeth.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution honors Chessie Roberts and her career work as an educator and dedication to, and involvement in, her community. After years of success as a student herself, Ms. Roberts returned to Elizabeth to serve the community that gave her so much. Ms. Roberts embraced the idea of inspiring future generations of leaders of those in Elizabeth. Ms. Roberts served Elizabeth public school for 33 years and became one of the first African-American teachers in the business department in Elizabeth public schools.
Outside of her years as a teacher, Ms. Roberts worked with the Urban League of Union County and served on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial committee. As a dedicated activist, Ms. Roberts advocated for the integration of public housing, fighting for equal opportunities for African-Americans in the community.
The Elizabeth community has benefited from Chessie’s extensive wisdom, kindness, and dedicated service for decades and the State of New Jersey honors her exemplary service as an educator and community leader in the City of Elizabeth, New Jersey.