LGBT elected officials call on Bob Hugin to make stance clear on Pompeo
During Mike Pompeo’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we were reminded of his extensive anti-LGBTQ record and his unwavering opposition to same-sex marriage. Mr. Pompeo’s history of egregious statements and hostile policy views in the regards to the LGBTQ community clearly demonstrates he is unable to serve as our nation’s top diplomat. This cabinet-level position has a vital role advancing human rights and representing the United States abroad in countries where LGBTQ citizens are persecuted for their sexual orientation.
As a candidate for U.S. Senator of New Jersey, a position where you are charged with examining and voting on the President’s nominees, Bob Hugin must divulge whether he supports or opposes Mr. Pompeo’s nomination to be U.S. Secretary of State. His continued silence elicits complacency and should alarm New Jerseyans.
New Jersey is home to a growing LGBTQ community and the votes you cast as our representative not only reflect your core values as an individual, but whether you will support equal treatment of individuals regardless of where they come from, what they believe, or who they love. Mr. Pompeo’s well documented anti-LGBTQ bias from decrying the U.S. Supreme Court 2015 ruling granting marriage equality to all fifty states to opposing the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell should make this an easy decision for Bob Hugin.
If you are truly looking to represent New Jersey and the state’s diverse communities, then we deserve to know Bob Hugin’s position on Pompeo’s nomination.
– NJ LGBTQ Elected Officials Alliance, Bruce James – Passaic County, Chris Hillmann – Hasbrouck Heights, Amy Quinn – Asbury Park, Ed Zipprich – Red Bank, Reginald Bledsoe – Newark, Dean Dafis – Maplewood, Wartyna Davis – Bloomfield, Bobby Tullock – Boonton, Mike DeFusco – Hoboken, Betsy Driver – Flemington, Bob Bresenhan Jr – Rahway, Carol Rizzo – Neptune, Pamela Renee – Neptune City, Mike Warren – Rochelle Park, Beth Asaro – Lambertville
Public Service Recognition Week May 6-12
In our community, and throughout the nation, local, state and federal government employees serve and protect us. Public servants deserve our appreciation daily, but Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), May 6-12, is a time set aside to honor our men and women in government. Public service is a calling to serve one’s fellow Americans and PSRW is a week for honoring those who followed that calling.
Our diverse workforce at the federal, state and local levels consists of highly talented individuals with a strong drive to improve the lives of the American people. They ensure a clean environment, safeguard the food we eat, protect our communities from violence, stabilize and grow the economy, come to our rescue after disasters and teach our children, to name a few ways public servants make our lives better.
PSRW is an excellent time to reflect on the hard work and dedication of our government workforce. Please join me in thanking our public servants for the important work they do for our community. Over the 40 years I spent as a Rural Letter carrier I had the great luck while on my route to be in the right place at the right time to find on 4 different occasions toddler boys barely able to walk that’s how young they were, in the street with no one else around that got out of their house without the parents knowing. All returned safely to surprised happy moms, there are countless actions done by Postal workers over the years that people don’t know about but done out of concern for people who aren’t just a “customer”
– Marc Chiarelli, JacksonGot something to share? Send your letters to the editor for publication to letters@Trentonian.com