TRENTON – On Jan. 5, Gov. Chris Christie signed Executive Order No. 239, ordering all state buildings to fly flags at half-staff Jan. 8, in recognition and mourning of the passing of former Gov. Brendan T. Byrne.
“Gov. Byrne had an extraordinary career of public service,” stated Christie in a release. “He served as counsel to Gov. Meyner, deputy attorney general, Essex County prosecutor, superior court judge and two-term governor of New Jersey.
“He did each of those jobs with integrity, honesty, intelligence, wit and flair. He cared deeply for the state’s environment, led the charge for the development of the Meadowlands Complex, and for the establishment of casino gaming in Atlantic City.
“He served his country in World War II, and went on to graduate from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. He was the proud father of seven children, and was a treasure to his home state where, in 2011, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
“I considered Gov. Byrne a mentor and a friend. My life is richer for having known him, as I am sure are the lives of every person who had the privilege to meet him.”
