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Sen. Ronald Rice — Courtesy: New Jersey Redevelopment Authority
By Real Estate NJ
The death of former state Sen. Ronald Rice resonated throughout New Jersey this week, drawing tributes from groups including those involved in housing and urban redevelopment.
Rice, who served in the chamber from 1986 until retiring last summer, died Wednesday after what was reported to be a battle with cancer. Elected officials and other organizations tied to public policy spoke out Thursday to mourn the influential lawmaker from Newark, widely described a fierce advocate for racial and social justice, one who was not afraid to clash with fellow Democrats and others in support of those causes.
“The State of New Jersey suffered a significant loss with the passing of Senator Ron Rice,” said David Brogan, CEO of the New Jersey Apartment Association. “He was a friend, a champion for the people of Newark, his district and the state as a whole. He was truly passionate about what he believed in, and exemplified courage and tenacity on the issues that mattered most. As an outspoken advocate for housing, social justice and criminal justice issues, Senator Rice will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.”
As noted by ROI-NJ on Thursday, Rice cosponsored legislation more than 25 years ago that helped create the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority, a key funding mechanism for development in urban areas. The agency said as much last summer in a statement on his retirement, touting his “tireless advocacy for marginalized communities” and noting that it “can take comfort in knowing his legacy within its organization and his work as a public servant is unmatched and forever cemented.”
The report noted that NJRA has directly invested more than $400 million, which has helped leverage an additional $3.8 billion for projects that previously would have never been funded.
“Sen. Rice, because of his belief in urban communities, communities of color and people of color, fought consistently for the purpose and the value of the NJRA in the landscape of entities providing financing to improve the quality of life throughout the state of New Jersey, but particularly in his beloved Essex County and Newark,” authority CEO Leslie Anderson said, according to ROI-NJ. “He was a true champion for our urban centers.”
Rice was the longest-serving African-American in the Legislature, as noted Wednesday by Politico New Jersey. The Vietnam veteran and former Newark police officer was also a founder and the longtime chair of the Legislative Black Caucus.
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