| Description |
1 online resource (211 p.) |
| Contents |
Frontmatter -- Contents -- Foreword -- Prologue -- 1. My Hometown -- 2. Ma Green's Boy -- 3. Settling Scores -- 4. Elections Matter -- 5. Working Together -- 6. The Natural: The Saga of Jim McGreevey -- 7. Christie, Golan Cipel, and the Kushner Connection -- 8. Fighting Injustices -- 9. The Fight for LGBTQ Rights -- 10. On the Banks of the Old Raritan: My Love Affair with Rutgers University -- 11. Sports Betting: A Good Bet -- 12. A Wakeup Call and a Near Loss -- 13. Animal Welfare -- 14. Tax Incentives -- 15. Gubernatorial Campaign: Not the Last Hurrah -- Epilogue -- Acknowledgments -- Index |
| Summary |
Born into a working-class Polish immigrant family in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Raymond Lesniak went on to become a major force in the tough and bruising world of state politics. In this remarkable memoir, he reflects upon his life and career fighting for social justice in the Garden State. He recounts the many causes he championed in his forty years as a state legislator, from the landmark Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act to bills concerning animal protections, marriage equality, women's reproductive rights, and the abolition of the death penalty. He also delves into his experiences on the national stage as a key advisor for Bill Clinton and Al Gore's presidential campaigns. With refreshing candor, Lesniak describes both his greatest achievements and his moments of failure, including his unsuccessful 2017 gubernatorial run. Cultivating Justice in the Garden State is both a gripping American success story and a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the inner workings of our political system. It offers an insider's perspective on the past fifty years of New Jersey politics, while presenting a compelling message about what leaders and citizens can do to improve the state's future |
| Analysis |
working-class, Polish, immigrant, family, Elizabeth, New Jersey, Raymond Lesniak, state politics, memoir, career, social justice, Garden State, state legislator, Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act, bills, animal cruelty, animal protections, marriage equality, reproductive rights, women's rights, abolition, death penalty, national, advisor, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, presidential campaign, achievement, failure, gubernatorial run, American success story, political system, New Jersey politics, New Jersey, leader, citizen, civic engagement, American dream, politics, local government, state government, federal government, elections, Jim McGreevey, Injustice, LGBTQ rights, Raritan, Rutgers University, sports, animal welfare, sports betting, politician, success stories, success, political career, career in politics |
| Notes |
Description based upon print version of record |
| Subject |
Lesniak, Raymond
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Legislators -- New Jersey -- Biography
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Politicians -- New Jersey -- Biography
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Lawyers -- New Jersey -- Elizabeth -- Biography
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BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / General
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Lawyers
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Legislators
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Politicians
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Politics and government
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| SUBJECT |
New Jersey -- Politics and government -- 1951- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85091344
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Elizabeth (N.J.) -- Biography
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| Subject |
New Jersey
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New Jersey -- Elizabeth
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| Genre/Form |
Electronic books
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Biographies
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| Author |
Clinton, Bill
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| ISBN |
1978825005 |
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9781978825000 |
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