Former U.S. Senator and legendary New Jersey figure Bill Bradley will be the first recipient of the Governor Thomas H. Kean Award, being awarded by Garden State Initiative at annual awards gala in September.
The award, named in honor of former N.J. Gov. Tom Kean, is presented to individuals whose leadership reflects a commitment to advancing public policy through thoughtful dialogue, principled governance and service to the people of New Jersey and the nation.
It is meant to recognize a lifetime of public service and leadership that exemplifies the principles of civility, mutual respect and bipartisan cooperation – and few did it better than Kean and Bradley in the 1980s.
Despite being of opposite political parties, they maintained a relationship rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to solving problems, advancing opportunity and improving the lives of New Jersey residents.
“Senator Bradley has always embodied the highest ideals of public service,” Kean said. “While we often approached issues from different political perspectives, we shared a deep belief that public office is a trust and that elected leaders have a responsibility to put the interests of the people above politics. Throughout his career, Senator Bradley demonstrated integrity, intellectual rigor and a commitment to thoughtful dialogue that earned respect across party lines.”
Roger Bodman, chair of the Garden State Initiative’s Nominating Committee and former Commissioner of Labor and Commissioner of Transportation to Gov. Kean, said Bradley’s selection reflects the organization’s belief that the nation would benefit from a return to the spirit of bipartisan cooperation that characterized much of New Jersey’s political leadership during that period.
“In our current political environment, anger is the norm and bipartisan collaboration seems impossible,” he said. “Bill Bradley’s career reminds us that disagreement does not have to mean division.
“Gov. Kean and Sen. Bradley proved that leaders with differing views can debate vigorously, respect one another personally, and work toward solutions that advance the public good. Their example represents a model of leadership that New Jersey – and our country – would be well served to embrace once again.”
Their example stands as a reminder that meaningful progress is achieved not through partisan division, but through the willingness of leaders to engage constructively, listen to differing viewpoints, and work toward common goals.
In addition to Bodman, the GSI Nominating Committee includes these distinguished bipartisan leaders:
- Tom Byrne, Byrne Asset Management;
- Leonard Coleman Jr. Former President, The National League, MLB;
- Regina Egea, Founder and Chair, GSI;
- Gail Gordon, Commissioner, SEA, Trustee, Hackensack Meridian Health Network;
- Robert Hugin, Former Chairman and CEO, Celgene;
- Reed Kean, KW Commercial MTD Realty Group;
- Hon. Leonard Lance;
- Bill Marino, Chairman, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield (Ret.);
- Peter Simon, Simon Quick Advisors.
Nominations can be submitted by the public throughout the year.
The Garden State Initiative Annual Awards Gala will be held Sept. 30 at Battello in Jersey City.
Additional event details, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket information, are available here.
