Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Week in NJ - August 11th, 2023
Official New Jersey State Funeral for The Honorable Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver
Three-Day Celebration of Life from Thursday, August 10, through Saturday, August 12
Governor Murphy, Oliver Family, Legislators, Elected Officials and Hundreds of New Jerseyans Honor the Legacy of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver
On the morning of Thursday, August 10, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver was escorted to the New Jersey State House Rotunda by the Honor Guard of the New Jersey State Police. A private viewing ceremony took place in the morning, in which hundreds of state officials, state lawmakers, members of Congress, and local officials waited in line to pay their respects at the foot of her casket. Later, members of the public were invited to pay their respects to the late Lieutenant Governor. Hundreds of New Jerseyans visited the New Jersey State House Rotunda to mourn the loss of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver and honor her legacy.
"Sheila Oliver was the best partner in government I could ever dream of," said Governor Murphy. "As Sheila took her oath of office as Lieutenant Governor, she said 'We make history not in the moment, but in what we do with it,' And she did just that, time and time again."
On the morning of Friday, August 11, Lieutenant Governor Oliver was escorted to the Essex County Historic Courthouse by the Honor Guard of the New Jersey State Police. Members of the public were invited to pay their respects to Lieutenant Governor Oliver at the Essex County Historic Courthouse. Lieutenant Governor Oliver was accompanied by a rotating Honor Guard from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.
"Sheila Oliver was the pride and joy of Essex County," continued Governor Murphy. "She was a daughter of Newark, the city where she was born and raised. Today, the Lieutenant Governor lies in state in the city that inspired her dedication to public service."
Tomorrow, on Saturday, August 12, Lieutenant Governor Oliver will be escorted to the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart by the Honor Guard of the New Jersey State Police for a Memorial Service. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects to Lieutenant Governor Oliver.
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Rev. Al Sharpton to Deliver Eulogy at Funeral for Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver
Rev. Al Sharpton, President and Founder of the National Action Network (NAN), will deliver the eulogy for New Jersey Lt. Governor Shelia Oliver, at the request of her family, Saturday, August 12th at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. The first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly as well as the first to hold statewide elected office in the Garden State, Lt. Governor Oliver’s career in public service spanned decades and took her from elementary and college classrooms to the pinnacle of New Jersey politics. She was only the second Black woman in U.S. history to lead a state legislative chamber. Lt. Governor Oliver’s sudden passing spurred an unsurprising outpouring of condolences from individuals across the political spectrum.
"Lt. Governor Oliver was a living testament to the importance of having Black women in positions of power to represent the needs and values of our community," said Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN). "Indeed, through her work with Emerge America, Lt. Governor Oliver fought to ensure more women – and more Black women in particular – have the opportunity to serve in elected office. Not satisfied with her own success, she paved the way for a new generation as well. Lt. Governor Oliver was a friend to me and, speaking on behalf of Pastor Steffie Bartley and NAN, someone whom we all considered to be a dependable and powerful partner in the fight for justice and equality."
Governor Murphy Commissions Official Portrait of Lieutenant Governor Oliver for the New Jersey State House
In remembrance of The Honorable Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, Governor Phil Murphy announced the commissioning of her official portrait for display in the New Jersey State House. A portrait will also be commissioned for Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, who served as New Jersey’s first Lieutenant Governor.
“As we continue to remember the life and service of Lieutenant Governor Oliver, I am deeply moved to announce the commissioning of a portrait that will stand as a testament to her legacy,” said Governor Murphy. “Sheila’s unwavering dedication to the people of New Jersey has left an enduring mark on our state, one that will be immortalized in the halls of our State House forever.”
“Lieutenant Governors play pivotal roles in gubernatorial administrations, but to date, unlike former governors, they have not been recognized with official portraits,” continued Governor Murphy. “It is time to address this shortcoming and set a new standard to commemorate their time in public service. I couldn’t think of two more deserving candidates for these portraits than these two exceptional women who have served our state with distinction for decades.”
“As we continue to grapple with the passing of our beloved Sheila, our hearts swell with pride and gratitude for the lasting mark she left on New Jersey,” said the Oliver Family. “This portrait will stand as a tribute not only to her remarkable career of public service, but also as a source of inspiration for generations to come. This is a testament to her enduring legacy and unwavering commitment to her community and state.”
Sheila Oliver leaves behind legacy of helping those in need - CBS New York
CBS New York:
Oliver was commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs, where she helped expand initiatives for affordable housing and homeless prevention. CBS New York's Christine Sloan reports.
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