Jerry Green | |
|---|---|
| Speaker pro tempore of theNew Jersey General Assembly | |
| In office January 8, 2008 – April 18, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Wilfredo Caraballo |
| Succeeded by | Gordon M. Johnson |
| Member of theNew Jersey General Assembly from the22nd district | |
| In office January 8, 2002 – April 18, 2018 Serving with James Kennedy | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Kean, Jr. Richard Bagger |
| Succeeded by | Linda Carter |
| Member of theNew Jersey General Assembly from the17th district | |
| In office January 14, 1992 – January 8, 2002 Serving with Bob Smith | |
| Preceded by | David C. Schwartz |
| Succeeded by | Upendra J. Chivukula Joseph V. Egan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1939-04-16)April 16, 1939 Roselle, U.S. |
| Died | April 18, 2018(2018-04-18) (aged 79) Plainfield, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Wanda |
Gerald B. Green (April 16, 1939 – April 18, 2018) was an AmericanDemocraticpolitician, who served in theNew Jersey General Assembly from 1992 until his death, representing the22nd Legislative District (from 2002 to 2018) and the17th Legislative District (1992 to 2002).
Gerald Green was born on April 16, 1939, inRoselle, and graduated from a public high school, where he was a "star basketball player".[1] Along with his wife Wanda, Green lived inPlainfield.[2][3]
Green started his career as a businessman working in marketing and real estate.[2] In 1982, he began his first term on theUnion County'sBoard of Chosen Freeholders. During his second term from 1989 to 1991, he was elected the board's chair in 1990.[4] Green played a prominent role in the county's politics serving on its Planning Board, the Parks & Recreation Committee and Adolescent Substance Abuse Program.[1][2][5] He also served as the president of Roselle and Linden Merchants Association and was an honorary chairman for theMarch of Dimes's chapter in New Jersey for 1990.[2]
Green was elected to theNew Jersey General Assembly as a Democrat in 1992 from the17th Legislative District. Followingredistricting in 2002, he represented the22nd Legislative District in the Assembly till his death in 2018.[1] During his 26-year tenure as an assemblyman, Green served on the Housing and Local Government (as Chair) and on the Health and Senior Services Committee. He was also a member of the Joint Committee on Housing Affordability, deputy speaker Pro Tempore from 2004–2007 and Deputy Speaker from 2002–2003. In 2008 he became the Assembly's SpeakerPro Tempore.[4]
Jerry Green was an innovator, a trailblazer and the most influential African American leader ever to come from Union County.
Green was the chairman of the Union County Democratic Committee from 2013 having replaced Charlotte DeFilippo.[6] He was re-elected in 2015 but resigned in January 2018 citing health issues. AssemblymanNicholas Scutari succeeded him in this capacity.[5][7]
Before he died, Green was the longest-serving assemblymember in New Jersey. He was one of the key sponsors of the bill that required institutions of higher education to install sprinklers in all dormitories and was one of the facilitators responsible for bringing theUnion County College campus toPlainfield.[5][8]
He died on April 18, 2018, just two days following his 79th birthday. Democratic and Republican officials offered their consolations on his death.[5]Linda Carter was appointed in May 2018 to fill Green's vacant Assembly seat.[9]
| New Jersey General Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theNew Jersey General Assembly for the22nd District January 8, 2002 – April 18, 2018 With:Linda Stender,James Kennedy | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theNew Jersey General Assembly for the17th District January 14, 1992 – January 8, 2002 With:Bob Smith | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | SpeakerPro Tempore of theNew Jersey General Assembly January 8, 2008 – April 18, 2018 | Succeeded by |