The Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey presented Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) with their 2021 Legislator of the Year Award at their annual Officers Installation Dinner held last night in Mercer County.

            The association of leaders from across the state includes county clerks, sheriffs and surrgoates—the three county-wide elected officials whose offices are prescribed by the New Jersey State Constitution—under the leadership of outgoing President Paula Sollami Covello, Mercer County clerk.

            “Thank you to the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey for the great honor of receiving this award,” said Rep. Smith. “But more importantly, thank you for doing the hard work of providing essential services that are at the core of making our democracy function.”

            “From ensuring accurate conveyance of inheritance during probate to facilitating elections—which has been especially challenging during COVID—to making our communities safer and so much more, you make a tremendous positive difference every day,” Smith said to the New Jersey county clerks, sheriffs and surrogates in attendence.

            In accepting the award, Smith recounted just some of the recent successes and countless people helped from teaming up with local officals—including efforts to reduce the backlog for passport issuances and renewals; legislation to improve rideshare safety named in honor of Samantha Josephson of Robbinsville, who was murdered by a fake Uber driver; and International Megan’s Law­, which is named after Hamilton resident Megan Kanka and has resulted in nearly 6,000 denials of international travel by known pedophiles to date.

            Smith also resolved to continue working with state and local officals to help New Jersey residents. “As the author of dozens of laws—the second most successful among all 435 Members of the House—I will continue to work tirelessly with local officials and our brave men and women in law enforcement to write legislation that assists those in need and keeps our community safe,” Smith said.

PHOTO: Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is presented with the 2021 Legislator of the Year Award from outgoing President Paula Sollami Covello of the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey.