Governor Chris Christie on Fri., June 21 ordered all State buildings to fly flags at half-staff on Mon., June 24 to recognize the achievements and contributions of James Gandolfini, a New Jersey native born in Westwood, who graduated from Park Ridge High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University.
The order reads:
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 135
WHEREAS, James Gandolfini was an iconic actor, who left a timeless impact upon television and film in the State of New Jersey and across our Nation; and
WHEREAS, James Gandolfini was born in Westwood, New Jersey, on September 18, 1961, and grew up in Park Ridge, New Jersey;
WHEREAS, James Gandolfini graduated from Park Ridge High School in 1979, where he played basketball and starred in school plays; and
WHEREAS, James Gandolfini graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University, and began to pursue what would become an extraordinarily successful acting career; and
WHEREAS, James Gandolfini’s most popularly acclaimed role was the part of Tony Soprano, the lead character in the television drama The Sopranos, which debuted in 1999 and continued through 2007; and
WHEREAS, James Gandolfini appeared on Broadway and in several films, including True Romance, Terminal Velocity, Get Shorty, The Juror, The Mexican and The Taking of Pelham 123; and
WHEREAS, James Gandolfini produced two documentaries, Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq and Wartorn: 1861-2010, which revealed the immense challenges faced by servicemembers and veterans integrating back into society; and
WHEREAS, James Gandolfini passed away suddenly on June 19, 2013;
and
WHEREAS, it is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of James Gandolfini and extend our sincere sympathy to his family, friends, and countless fans; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the achievements and contributions, to honor the memory, and to mark the passing of James Gandolfini;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Monday, June 24, 2013, in recognition and mourning of the passing of James Gandolfini.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately. GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 21st day of June, Two Thousand and Thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Thirty-Seventh.
/s/ Chris Christie
Governor
Attest:
/s/ Charles B. McKenna
Chief Counsel to the Governor
Information: www.nj.gov/governor.
