TRENTON -- The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce announced that it will be bestowing Business Advocates of the Year honors to a tireless Newark attorney who is fighting for smart growth, and to a groundbreaking member of Gov. Chris Christie's cabinet who is making dramatic changes to make his agency more efficient. The Chamber also announced that four state legislators have won the Chamber's biannual Legislative Awards. All six award winners are being honored by the State Chamber for their work advancing New Jersey as a more business friendly state and as a great place to live and work. They will be recognized at the State Chamber's biannual Legislative Awards Reception on Oct. 9 at the Wyndham Hotel in Mount Laurel beginning at 6 p.m.
The two winners of the State Chamber's Business Advocacy Award are:
• Ted Zangari, Busness Attorney, Sills Cummis & Gross
• Bob Martin, Commissioner, state Department of Environmental Protection
The four winners of the N.J. Chamber's Legislative Awards are:
• Senator Fred H. Madden, Jr. (D-4 / Camden and Gloucester Counties)
• Senator Anthony R. Bucco (R-25 / Morris and Somerset Counties)
• Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli (D-3 / Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties)
• Assemblyman David P. Rible (R-30 / Monmouth and Ocean Counties)
The State Chamber selected these lawmakers based on their voting records, bill sponsorships, committee votes and their overall history of supporting economic growth.
"The honorees were selected because each has taken substantive action to improve the state's economic climate and make sure New Jersey takes full advantage of its many assets," said Thomas A. Bracken, president and CEO 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 economic growth. Through their individual and bipartisan efforts in the areas of government reform, Superstorm Sandy recovery and tax incentives, our award winners are ensuring the Garden State's competitive future."