STATEWIDE – International music legend Dionne Warwick sparkles onstage at the 14th Annual NJN Foundation Gala on Monday, May 14, 2007 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, in Newark, New Jersey with a reception at 5 pm followed by a program and dinner. The Gala will honor Mayor Cory Booker, Robert Essner and Carlos A. Migoya for their outstanding leadership and contributions to New Jersey. The 2007 Gala Dinner Chair is Ralph Izzo, President and Chief Operating Officer of Public Service Group Incorporated and the Chair of the NJN Foundation is Peter J. Cocoziello.

Dionne Warwick, the five-time Grammy award-winner, returns to her native New Jersey to support New Jersey’s public television and radio station. Ms. Warwick, whose illustrious career includes nearly 60 charted hit songs, numerous television appearances and sold-out performances all over the world, developed her talent singing in the East Orange church where her grandfather served as minister. Her Grammy-winning, chart topping, single “That's What Friends Are For” raised millions of dollars for AIDS research. Throughout the world, Warwick has devoted countless hours to a wide range of humanitarian causes, serving as the U.S. Ambassador for Health during the 1980s. Warwick has spearheaded the long overdue development and production of a history book that will detail African and African-American history for use in schools, libraries, and bookstores throughout the world.

Cory A. Booker, Mayor, City of Newark, is being honored for his leadership of New Jersey’s largest city and partnership with the people of Newark to achieve safe communities, educational excellence, and economic growth. In his first week in office, he introduced a 100-Day Plan to implement unprecedented reform in Newark. The major components of the plan are public safety, economic empowerment, nurturing families and children and government reform. The son of civil rights activists, Mayor Booker grew up in Harrington Park, NJ. After graduating from Stanford University and obtaining a law degree from Yale Law School, he returned to New Jersey to serve the public as an attorney, elected official and volunteer for numerous nonprofit organizations. He became Mayor of Newark on July 1, 2006

.Robert Essner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wyeth, is being honored for his leadership and commitment to advancing the quality of health care worldwide through Wyeth, one of the largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies in the world. The company is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and nonprescription medicines. Currently, he is Chairman of the Children’s Health Fund Corporate Council as well as a member of the Business Roundtable and Business Council. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, and is past Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America.

Carlos A. Migoya, Chief Executive Officer Atlantic Region, Wachovia Bank, N.A., for his leadership of Wachovia and his demonstrated corporate and personal commitment to enriching the quality of life in the communities where he has lived and worked. He provides executive leadership for Wachovia Bank, N.A. to all retail, commercial and small business banking, and community activities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Born in Cuba, Migoya grew up in Clifton, New Jersey and moved to Florida in 1963 where he was involved in educational, cultural and business organizations. He was recently appointed as a Trustee to the NJN Foundation and serves on the board of The Newark Alliance.

“We are so pleased to be able to pay tribute to three New Jersey leaders who share NJN’s commitment to provide quality education and lifelong learning opportunities to New Jersey’s children and adults; promote the revitalization of our cities and build healthy communities; and provide health care information that can enrich people's lives. Their leadership has enhanced NJN’s commitment to the people of New Jersey and our mission to educate, inform and inspire, as well as improve the state’s homeland security,” said Elizabeth Christopherson, NJN’s Executive Director.

The annual gala is the major fundraising event of the NJN Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the state’s television and radio network. Serving as Dinner Chair of the Foundation’s 2007 Gala is Ralph Izzo, Chairman, President and CEO of PSEG, a well-known leader within the utility industry, as well as the public policy arena. Peter Cocoziello, NJN Foundation Chair cites Izzo for his success in attracting many of New Jersey’s business leaders as Gala supporters. “As Gala Dinner Chair, Ralph Izzo has done an outstanding job of marshalling some of New Jersey’s best and brightest leaders to expand NJN’s outreach efforts,” said Mr. Cocoziello.

Proceeds from the Gala will raise funds to support NJN’s Uniquely New Jersey award-winning programs that include NJN News, Another View, Images/Imagenes, On the Record, and Reporters Roundtable; and to advance NJN’s growing educational programs for children and adults on-air and in the community, as well as to strengthen NJN’s critical role as a communication resource in times of emergency. For information on the Gala, please contact Becky Corbin at (609) 777-5285 or by email at rcorbin@njn.org.

NJN is available on all New Jersey cable systems, satellite systems, and Time Warner Cable channel 750 in NYC.
The half-hour program is also available via video streaming at njn.net after the original broadcast. Additionally, the program is repeated on NJN’s JerseyVision available on Comcast Digital Cable in New Jersey.
(Check http://www.njn.net/digital/schedule.html for detailed listings.)
NJN – Uniquely New Jersey
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