EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 86

WHEREAS, Senator Anthony Rocco Bucco was born on February 24, 1938, in Boonton, New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Senator Bucco’s career in public service began at the age of 19, when he joined the United States Army Reserve in 1957 and honorably served there until 1965; and

WHEREAS, Senator Bucco served the township of Boonton on the Board of Aldermen from 1978 to 1983, and then served as Mayor of Boonton from 1984 to 1989; and

WHEREAS, Senator Bucco subsequently served as a member of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1989 to 1992; and

WHEREAS, Senator Bucco was elected to represent the 25th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly in 1995, and served as Assistant Majority Whip from 1996 to 1998; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, Senator Bucco was elected to represent the 25th Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate, where he would be re-elected six times and serve for over 21 years; and

WHEREAS, during his time in the Senate, Senator Bucco served as Assistant Majority Leader from 2000 to 2001, Co-Republican Majority Leader from 2002 to 2003, Assistant Minority Leader from 2006 to 2007, and Deputy Minority Leader from 2008 to 2009; and

WHEREAS, Senator Bucco served as the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee from 2009 to 2018, and also served on the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, the Labor Committee, and the Intergovernmental Relations Commission; and

WHEREAS, Senator Bucco sponsored a number of landmark laws during his time in the Senate, including “Terry’s Law,” which strengthened New Jersey’s laws against drunk driving, and the Safe Haven Infant Protection Act, which allows an individual to give up an unwanted infant safely, legally, and anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution; and

WHEREAS, Senator Bucco worked tirelessly throughout his career to enhance public discourse as an Assemblyman and Senator and also worked in the private sector as President of Baker/Titan Adhesives, based in Paterson; and

WHEREAS, in 2009, Senator Bucco had the privilege of seeing his son, Anthony Mark Bucco, be elected to the seat he had once held representing the 25th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he continues to serve today; and

WHEREAS, Senator Bucco’s presence will be sorely missed by his family, his many friends, his colleagues, and by the people of New Jersey whom he served so well; and

WHEREAS, it is with great sorrow that we mourn the passing of Senator Bucco and extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Helen Jayne, his son, Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco, his grandchildren, and his friends and colleagues; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the exemplary character, outstanding achievements, and cherished memory of Senator Bucco, and to mark his passing;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SHEILA Y. OLIVER, Acting Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Friday, September 20, 2019, in recognition and mourning of a dedicated and tireless public servant, Senator Anthony R. Bucco.

2. This Order shall take effect immediately. GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 18th day of September, Two Thousand and Nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Forty-Fourth.

Sheila Y. Oliver

Acting Governor

Attest:

Matthew J. Platkin

Chief Counsel to the Governor