An Act designating a portion of State Highway Route No. 15 as the "Senator Robert E. Littell Memorial Highway."

Whereas, The Honorable Robert E. Littell, was an extraordinary public servant who served the people of New Jersey for four decades as a member of the New Jersey Legislature; and

Whereas, Born on January 9, 1936, Senator Littell was a lifelong resident of New Jersey who grew up in Sussex County and attended Franklin High School and the Hun School in Princeton; and

Whereas, Senator Littell served his country in the Marine Corps for three years during the Korean War and received an honorable discharge in 1956; and

Whereas, As a pillar of the community in Sussex County, Senator Littell served on the Franklin Borough Council from 1963 to 1965, in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1968 to 1990, and in the New Jersey Senate from 1990 until 2008; and

Whereas, Upon his retirement on January 8, 2008, Senator Littell was the longest serving member of the New Jersey Legislature, having served for 40 years; and

Whereas, While serving in the Senate, Senator Littell served as the chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, co-chair of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, and a member of the Legislative Services Commission; and

Whereas, As a resident of rural Sussex County, Senator Littell was always cognizant of the important role that farming played in many communities and on the local economy, and had a significant impact on State agricultural by sponsoring legislation that led to the creation of the Commission on Open Space, the formation of the Garden State Preservation Trust, the preservation of Sterling Forest, and the establishment of the Farmland Preservation Program; and

Whereas, Senator Littell was integral in many initiatives that improved the quality of life enjoyed by New Jersey residents, including expanding Interstate 80, requiring stopped school buses to extend a stop sign from the vehicle, and enacting the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights; and

Whereas, During his tenure in the Legislature, Senator Littell assisted in opening two centers for child abuse victims, Ginnie's House of Sussex County, named for his wife Virginia Littell, and Wynona's House of Essex County, named for the late State Senator Wynona Lipman of Essex County; and

Whereas, Senator Littell served the community in numerous capacities, including as a member of the Centenary College of New Jersey Board of Trustees, the Sussex County Peace Officers Association, the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department, and as the chair of the local fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes; and

Whereas, Senator Littell, who passed away on November 14, 2014, was a dedicated legislator as well as a loving husband, father, and grandfather whose memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and the citizens of New Jersey whose lives he impacted; and

Whereas, It is fitting and proper for the Legislature of the State of the New Jersey to honor the memory of Senator Robert E. Littell for his contributions to the Legislature and his unwavering devotion to the people of Sussex County and the State of New Jersey by designating the Sussex County portion of State Highway Route No. 15 as the "Senator Robert E. Littell Memorial Highway;" now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the Sussex County portion of State Highway Route No. 15, extending from milepost 8.90 to milepost 19.53, as the "Senator Robert E. Littell Memorial Highway" and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.

2. No State or other public funds shall be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, and erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with such private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions. No work shall proceed, and no funding shall be accepted by the Department of Transportation, until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill designates the Sussex County portion of State Highway Route No. 15 as the "Senator Robert E. Littell Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of Senator Littell. Senator Littell was a pillar of the community in Sussex County serving in numerous public offices. Upon his retirement, Senator Littell was the longest serving member of the New Jersey Legislature with his 40 years of service. Senator Littell served in key leadership roles and had numerous legislative achievements, including sponsoring legislation that improved the quality of life for citizens of New Jersey. The Legislature honors the late Senator Robert Littell, who passed away on November 14, 2014, for his contributions to the Legislature and his dedication to the people of Sussex County and the State of New Jersey.

The bill provides that State or other public funds may not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting the "Senator Robert E. Littell Memorial Highway" signs. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive financial assistance from private sources.