[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16958-16959]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JOSEPH SIMUNOVICH

 Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, today I honor Joseph Simunovich 
for his leadership, dedication, and accomplishments at Hackensack 
University Medical Center and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Joe 
retired as chairman of the board of these great New Jersey institutions 
earlier this year.
  Joe's life of public service spans more than three decades. In 1972, 
he was elected to serve as a Hudson County freeholder, a position he 
held for 12 years, 3 of them as director/chairman of the board. In 
1986, Joe was appointed by New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean to serve on 
the New Jersey Economic

[[Page 16959]]

Development Authority. Reappointed by Governors Jim Florio and 
Christine Whitman, for a total of six consecutive terms, Joe is the 
longest serving member in the organization's history.
  In 2002, Joe was chosen by Governor James McGreevey to serve as the 
chairman of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, where he led the 
organization through the consolidation with the New Jersey Highway 
Authority. Additionally, Joe oversaw the remediation of New Jersey's E-
Z Pass system, and the introduction of Express E-Z Pass.
  Over the past 17 years of Joe's service on the Board of Governors of 
Hackensack University Medical Center, no one has had a greater hand in 
making Hackensack the respected and sought out institution it is today. 
As chairman of the board, Joe has worked tirelessly to raise money for 
the expansion of hospital programs. This money means more access to 
medical treatments, increased technology, and better financial 
assistance for low-income patients.
  Additionally, Joe has dutifully served on numerous boards of 
directors, including New Jersey City University, the New Brunswick 
Development Corporation, the National Association of Water Companies, 
and the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships. As a result 
of his hard work, Joseph Simunovich has helped improve the quality of 
life for thousands of families living throughout New Jersey.
  Dedicated to both his community and family, Joe is married and has 
two children and several grandchildren. He received his bachelor's 
degree from Colgate University and masters in business management 
equivalent from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and completed 
postgraduate coursework at the Carnegie Institute and guest lectured at 
Rutgers University School of Business.
  There is no doubt Joseph Simunovich is an exemplary leader and a 
profoundly committed individual who is a true role model for the 
nation. Therefore, I am pleased to pay tribute to Joseph Simunovich, 
and know my colleagues will join in wishing him continued 
success.

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