About the Author

SENATOR LESNIAK, A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF ELIZABETH, is a graduate of Rutgers University (1971) and received his Juris Doctorate degree from St John’s Law School (1974). He served in the State Assembly from 1978-1983 and in the Senate from 1983 to the present date. He chairs the Economic Growth Committee, is Vice-Chair of the Commerce Committee and is a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Throughout his career, Senator Lesniak has championed a wide range of legislative efforts. Early in his tenure, he sponsored landmark environmental policies, such as the Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act (ECRA), the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Pesticide Control Act: making New Jersey first-in-the-nation to tackle such issues.

Senator Lesniak’s Tax Incremental Financing Act gave New Jersey the most powerful tool in the country to attract private investment and create jobs. It has been responsible for creating thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of millions of private investment which will result in tens of thousands of permanent jobs.

Senator Lesniak has been a strong advocate for higher education and sponsored legislation signed into to create the cabinet position of Commissioner of Higher Education to provide a stronger voice on behalf of higher education in New Jersey.

In addition to being an advocate for environmental protection, job creation and higher education, Senator Lesniak has been an advocate for social justice. He sponsored the repeal of the death penalty making New Jersey the first state in the nation to abolish the death penalty in over thirty years. Since then, New Mexico and Illinois have followed New Jersey’s lead.

In 2009, Senator Lesniak became only the second American, in its 20 year history, to win the prestigious international human rights award at Le Memorial de Caen, the D-Day and Human Rights museum in Normandy, France, besting thousands of contestants from throughout the world for his speech: The Road to Justice and Peace.

Senator Lesniak is the author of The Road to Abolition: How New Jersey Abolished the Death Penalty and started The Road to Justice and Peace, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting social justice causes.

Senator Lesniak was at the forefront of efforts to pass legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry in the State of New Jersey. He co-authored a book with Senator Loretta Weinberg entitled, What’s Love Got to Do With It?: The Case for Same Sex Marriage, which outlines the fight to legalize gay marriage in New Jersey, highlighting the legislative debate and the evolution of civil rights in history.

Continuing his work for social justice and humanitarian needs, Senator Lesniak responded to the devastating earthquake in Haiti by forming NJ4Haiti, chaired by the Senator and Congressman Donald Payne, to raise funds and supplies to aid its recovery.

Senator Lesniak was honored by The Bridge to Recovery and Integrity House for championing alternatives to incarceration and substance abuse treatment programs. He was awarded with a Certificate of Recognition for his extraordinary legislative accomplishments in prison and welfare reform, offering essential help and support for our most vulnerable citizens.

Senator Lesniak is active in the Polish community and served as Grand Marshal of the 2004 Pulaski Day Parade in New York City.  He was also honored by the Polish American World as “Citizen of the Year” in 1982.

Throughout his career Senator Lesniak has been honored by a diversity of groups as the recipient of various awards including “Man of the Year” by the Jewish National Fund and American Cancer Society, “Outstanding Legislator” by the NJ Food Council for Good Government, “Legislator of the Year” by the Medical Society of New Jersey, and “Humanitarian of the Year” by Community Access Unlimited. He also received the “Phillip M. Scanlan Environmental Award” for his contributions to improving the environment, awarded by Quality New Jersey.

In 2009, he received the  New Jersey Business and Industry Association’s “Troast Award for Distinguished Public Service” and the Chemical Council of New Jersey’s “Excellence in Economic Development Award” for his leadership on legislation to revitalize New Jersey’s economy.  He is the recipient of the “Fathers of our Children” award from the Marion P. Thomas Charter School for his efforts to create educational opportunities for children from low income families; and was honored by Lambda Legal for championing the cause of marriage equality.

Senator Lesniak is a leader in the Democratic Party. From 1992 to 1993, he served as Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee and was NJ Chair of the Clinton-Gore and Gore-Lieberman presidential campaigns.

He served in the US Army 1967-1969, Specialist Fourth Class. He is a partner in the law firm Weiner Lesniak.

CONTACT: SENATOR LESNIAK AT SENLESNIAK@NJLEG.ORG OR BY VISITING WWW.NJCOMMUNITYFIRST.COM.