Statehouse Welcome Center Would Be Named to Honor Governor Codey
By Insider NJ |
March 24, 2025, 2:47 pm | in
Caucus Room
The Welcome Center at the New Jersey State House would be named to honor former Governor Richard J. Codey, under terms of legislation sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari and Senator John McKeon that was approved by the Senate today.
The bill, S-4170, would designate the State House Complex Welcome Center in Trenton the “Governor Richard J. Codey Welcome Center.”
“It’s fitting that the facility welcoming visitors to the center of State Government in New Jersey is named after Governor Codey,” said Senator Scutari. “Dick Codey gained legendary status as a consummate public servant with a down-to-earth personality who everyone could relate to. His long and distinguished career in both houses of the Legislature, as Senate President and as Governor leaves a record of accomplishment that will continue to benefit the people of New Jersey.”
The longest serving legislator in state history, Governor Codey was first elected to the General Assembly in 1973 at 27 years old. After serving 10 years in the Assembly, he was elected to the Senate, where he served for 42 years, including eight years as Senate President. During his tenure as Senate President, he served as Acting Governor on multiple occasions. Codey became New Jersey’s 53rd Governor in 2004, where he served for 14 months.
“Governor Codey had a unique and successful career as a public official who always put the needs of the people of New Jersey first,” said Senator McKeon, who succeeded Codey as a Senator. “He was compassionate and caring, using his influence to help the disadvantaged, those struggling with adversity, suffering illnesses or experiencing challenges in their lives. Dick Codey was one of the most accomplished and popular elected leaders the state has known. I am proud to call him my mentor and my friend.”
Governor Codey’s public service career was defined by numerous achievements, including increased funding for mental health care, championing stem cell research, establishing the state’s charity care program, banning smoking in state buildings, creating a prescription drug program for seniors, increasing the age to legally purchase tobacco to 21 and initiating drug and steroid testing for high school athletes. He also fought for stronger gun control standards, to establish GPS tracking for sex offenders, and laws cracking down on internet predators.
