Assemblyman Jay Webber /
973-884-6190
Assembly Republican Press Office
/ 609-292-5339
June 10, 2010
WEBBER INTRODUCES RESOLUTIONS TO COMMEMORATE 100th
BIRTHDAY OF MOTHER TERESA
CALLS ON EMPIRE
STATE BUILDING
TO RECONSIDER DENYING REVERED WOMAN THE SAME HONOR GIVEN TO
COMMUNIST DICTATOR
MAO ZEDONG
Assemblyman Jay Webber, R-Morris and Passaic,
introduced today two Resolutions to honor Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
on August 26, 2010, the 100th anniversary of her birth. On June 1,
Assemblyman Webber announced that he would be introducing these
Resolutions. Assemblyman Peter Barnes, Assemblywoman Caroline
Casagrande, Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan, and Assemblyman Erik Peterson already
are joining in sponsoring these bipartisan Resolutions.
The
first resolution, AR-92, responds to the Empire State Building Lighting
Partners’ rejection of an application to illuminate the Empire State Building
in blue and white, the colors of the congregation Mother Teresa founded, the
Missionaries of Charity. Last Fall, the Partners approved of lighting the
tower in red and yellow to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Chinese
Communist revolution, whose dictator Mao Zedong was responsible for the deaths
of millions of people. In the past the Building also has been lighted for
other less consequential figures such as the Grateful Dead and Mariah
Carey. The Resolution urges the Partners and owner Anthony Malkin to
reconsider their decision to disqualify Mother Teresa.
"So
let’s see whether we have this straight from Anthony Malkin and his
Partners: Worthy of lighting the Empire State Building are Mao Zedong,
Mariah Carey, and the Grateful Dead — but not Mother Teresa, who helped shape
the 20th century through her compassion and caring,” stated Webber. “It
is perverse that the Empire State Building Partners and Mr. Malkin would choose
to honor an oppressive Communist regime defined by terror and tyranny, but then
refuse to honor a life-saving humanitarian whose life was selflessly dedicated
to easing the pain of the suffering and sick. The absurdity of this
situation towers nearly as tall as the skyscraper itself.”
"Outside
Calcutta, few places have been more
touched by Mother Teresa than our metropolitan area," stated Webber.
"Her Missionaries of Charity minister to the poor in the Bronx and across New
Jersey, from Newark to Plainfield
to Asbury Park. The New
York City skyline is a treasured part of daily life
for millions of New Jerseyans, many of whom have been helped or inspired by the
heroic life of Mother Teresa. On their behalf, I ask the Empire State
Building Lighting Partners to use their powerful icon to honor Mother
Teresa. Such a tribute in lights would be fitting for a woman who brought
the light of love to so many suffering in darkness," continued Webber.
The
New York City Council is scheduled to consider its own resolution calling on
the Building Partners to reconsider its decision denying Mother Teresa an
honoring in lights.
The
second resolution, AR-93, would declare August 26, 2010, to be Mother Teresa
Day in New Jersey, to honor and
celebrate her centennial. Mother Teresa received in her lifetime 124
awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and
the Congressional Medal of Freedom.
"New Jerseyans of all beliefs and backgrounds agree that Mother Teresa
will be a model of selflessness for centuries to come, and I call on my
colleagues in the Legislature to join me in honoring her extraordinary life and
work,” concluded Webber.
Both resolutions are attached.
Empire State Lighting for Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa Day in New Jersey