[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 100 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN SUPPORT OF HOLDING THE 2016 DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN NORTHERN NEW 
                                 JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2011

  Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to propose that 
the 2016 Democratic Convention be held in Northern New Jersey. With 
easy access to a wide variety of transportation options, many local 
tourist attractions, and a proven record of successfully hosting large-
scale events, Northern New Jersey is an ideal location and I urge my 
Democratic colleagues to join me in support of our bid to host the 2016 
Convention.
  Northern New Jersey has everything that a large-scale, high-profile 
event requires in order to go off without a hitch. Multiple airports 
provide access for visitors arriving from all across the country, while 
those traveling along the Eastern Seaboard have the option of taking 
Amtrak or one of several bus lines--all of which are particularly 
convenient to visitors from Washington, DC. Whether hosted in my 
district at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, at the 
Prudential Center in Newark, or both: our convention facilities are 
brand new, state-of-the-art, and well-equipped to host large events. 
Northern New Jersey boasts many hotels and tourist attractions for 
visitors, as well as proximity to other exciting locations; convention-
goers would be just across the river from New York City and just up the 
Jersey shore from Atlantic City. Even as our national economy struggles 
to bounce back, tourism in Northern New Jersey has continued to 
flourish over the past few years, due in no small part to the 
infrastructure and facilities that our region has to offer visitors 
from across the Nation.
  Most recently, the city of Newark hosted the 2011 NCAA East Regional 
Championship at the Prudential Center. Visitors, players, and league 
administrators alike were impressed and pleased with their newly chosen 
host city, with top NCAA officials noting that they are definitely on 
board with a future hosting bid. Looking toward the future, Super Bowl 
XLVII will be held at the New Meadowlands Stadium in 2014, and over 
100,000 visitors from across the country are expected to travel to 
Northern New Jersey for this historic game. Both of these important 
events of national importance were brought to Northern New Jersey 
because of everything we have to offer, and I am confident that 
delegates and Convention participants alike would be pleased with the 
choice to hold our party's most important meeting here as well. A 
highly diverse region, Northern New Jersey is emblematic of the many 
cultures, ideas, and priorities that make up our great Nation, and I 
believe this is a fitting backdrop for the selection of our party's 
nominee for the 2016 Presidential race.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to consider Northern New 
Jersey as the site for the 2016 Democratic Convention. I know that we 
would host a memorable and well-executed Convention and I urge the 
Democratic Party to explore this option for 2016.

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