New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Honors Elected Officials and Business Leader for Economic Growth Activities

Four state legislators and a proactive business leader were honored Oct. 24 at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Legislative Awards Reception held at Verizon’s corporate headquarters. The Legislative Award winners were Senate President Richard Codey (D-27/Essex County), Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance (R-23/Hunterdon and Warren Counties), Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-17/Middlesex and Somerset Counties), and Assemblyman David Wolfe (R-10/Monmouth and Ocean Counties). The recipient of the Chamber’s Business Advocate Award was Chamber Board member Jeffrey Scheininger, president, Flexline/U.S. Brass & Copper Corp.

“The honorees have been selected because they are working to improve the economic picture of our state,” said Joan Verplanck, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “New Jersey faces many challenges and we are fortunate to have individuals such as these advocating on behalf of the employer community, and working to help grow jobs in our state. Through their individual efforts in the areas of ethics reform, fiscal integrity, economic development, public education, and health care, our award winners are helping to ensure that New Jersey remains competitive with other states – and the rest of the world.”

Business Advocate Award

Scheininger has been working to ensure that New Jersey’s health care system is accessible, accountable, and affordable as the chairman of the Chamber’s Platform for Progress Health Care Initiative. The owner of a manufacturing company, Scheininger knows all about the struggles of business owners to provide health insurance to employees. He is also a member of the Chamber’s Executive Committee, serving as the second vice chairman of the Board of Directors.

“I am humbled to be recognized as the Chamber's Business Advocate. The Chamber does vital work and I feel fortunate to be an integral part of their efforts,” said Scheininger. “As the voice of both New Jersey’s business leaders and employees, the Chamber speaks directly to the voters of our state. Our message is clear – if New Jersey is to be successful, our state government must consider the economic health of its businesses and citizens, it cannot function of itself, by itself, and for itself.”

A major reason Scheininger was selected for the award was because of his grassroots efforts to educate people on business issues. He communicates important legislative and regulatory matters to his employees so that they understand issues impacting his company. He also rallies support behind the Platform Health Care Initiative by personally reaching out to stakeholders from all over the state.

Legislative Advocates

The Chamber selected its legislative award recipients based on their past voting records, bill sponsorships, committee votes, and overall history of supporting economic growth.

Senator Codey was honored in part for his strong push for ethics reform, along with his efforts to convince Verizon to expand operations in the state, saving 2,000 jobs and adding 1,750 new positions within New Jersey.

Senator Lance serves on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and has pushed for various measures that would assist in getting New Jersey’s fiscal house in order. Senator Lance has introduced bills ranging from prohibiting the state from using bonds to balance the budget to a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval when the state borrows money.

Assemblyman Chivukula brings real-life experience from his engineering background with him to Trenton. As a member of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee, he has been a true friend and advocate for business on issues ranging from eminent domain to energy conservation.

Assemblyman Wolfe has demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that New Jersey has a highly skilled and educated workforce through his involvement in the Assembly Education Committee. He has also introduced key government reform legislation, which includes the ban on dual office holding to prohibiting Legislature members from voting on bills in which they have a personal interest.

October 2007