Earlier today, we joined interfaith leaders and New Jerseyans from all walks of life at the National Action Network’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service at New Hope Baptist Church in Elizabeth. We honored what would have been Dr. King’s 90th birthday, and we recommitted ourselves to the ideals of justice, fairness, and equality.

Dr. King stated, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today.  We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.” Dr. King is a permanent inspiration to all of us to stand together, work together, and fight for economic justice and civil rights together. During our first year as your Governor and First Lady, we have strived to uphold this mantle by making New Jersey stronger and fairer for each and every resident across this great state.

This administration has invested in public education and tuition-free community college. We pushed back against the Trump Administration’s attacks on immigrants and protected health care through the Affordable Care Act. We fought for equal pay for equal work and have advocated for stronger protections for the LGBTQ community. We are tackling racial disparities in wealth, income, and in our criminal justice system.

We’ve accomplished a lot, but there is so much work still to do.

We joined the moral chorus around the country against hatred, bigotry, and violence — before and after it raises its ugly head. As Dr. King taught us, we know that “darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate only love can do that”.

We cannot lose sight that Dr. King’s gospel of love and sharing common ground still inspires. Dr. King famously said, “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” That is our reminder that we are one New Jersey.

Sincerely,
Phil and Tammy