STATEMENT OF LOUIS N. MAGAZZU ON THE PASSING OF WILLIAM J. HUGHES

I was saddened to hear of the passing of former Ambassador and Congressman William J. Hughes.

Ambassador Hughes was the epitome of the best of a public servant. He worked tirelessly for the people of South Jersey and was respected local, nationally and internationally as a person of unimpeachable integrity and extraordinary intellect.

I was honored to be one of his very first interns, working out of his Washington Congressional office and I still cherish those years even though that was over three decades ago. Congressman Hughes made that time worthwhile by including me in important meetings and providing meaningful assignments. From that position, I was able to witness first-hand the genuine love and affection his constituents had for him. Our relationship came full circle when I was the Democratic nominee for Congress in 1994 and was honored to receive the support from Congressman Hughes. I will be forever grateful for that opportunity and honor Congressman Hughes gave me when I was just 20 years old.

As a Congressman, Bill Hughes came back every weekend and attended countless events to make sure he was still in touch with his constituents. At the same time, there was no better husband or father.

I have no doubt that he has been reunited with his beloved Nancy who predeceased him and they are working on their next campaign in Heaven.

Ambassador Hughes will be forever missed and not long forgotten for his many accomplishments but most of all for his fundamental decency.

Louis N. Magazzu was an intern for Congressman William J. Hughes in 1977-78. Mr. Magazzu was a former Cumberland County Freeholder and Democratic County Chairman.