Lesniak Inducted Into the Rutgers University Hall of Distinguished Alumni

Union, NJ – Embargoed until 8:00 pm, April 25th. On April 25th, Former Senator Raymond J. Lesniak was inducted into the Rutgers University Hall of Distinguished Alumni among four other influential Rutgers University graduates. Lesniak was recognized at Stone House at Stirling Ridge for his exemplary work in the New Jersey Legislature and as President and Founder of The Lesniak Institute for American Leadership. This award is the highest achievement a Rutgers graduate can receive from the University.

He has been a persistent champion of social and criminal justice, animal welfare, women’s rights, and environmental protection. During his time in the legislature he sponsored the most significant laws to protect the environment, was a leading advocate for legalizing same-sex marriage, fought to abolish New Jersey’s death penalty, and marked his name in sports history with his legendary legislative and legal fight that lead to the United States Supreme Court making sports betting legal in America.

In addition to these great accomplishments, he has published books about these legislative and legal battles: The Road to Abolition: How New Jersey Abolished the Death Penalty, What’s Love got to Do with it?, Beating the Odds, and most recently Cultivating Justice in the Garden State: My Life in the Colorful World of New Jersey Politics.

Each inductee had a video crafted by Rutgers University to showcase the excellence they bring as an honoree.