Oliver Tribute: Raj Mukherji

Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-Jersey City) released the following statement on the death of Lieutenant Gov. Sheila Oliver:

“Natasha and I extend our deepest condolences to the Oliver family and to the people of New Jersey as we collectively mourn the passing of a lioness, who has had profound impact on our state while serving in the leadership of two branches of our state government and profound impact on me personally as a friend and mentor.

The second Black woman in American history to lead a house of the Legislature and the first in our state, she was also our first lieutenant governor of color. Her incredible work as DCA commissioner directly led to staving off homelessness as the pandemic eviction moratorium was expiring. I fondly recall dancing with Sheila at my wedding as well as sponsoring bills together with her during my first term on issues ranging from the elimination of Work First NJ family caps and improving assistance to our most vulnerable citizens to honoring our veterans. Almighty God, thank you for calling on her to serve the public, and look after her departed soul. Lieutenant Governor Oliver, you will be missed, but never forgotten.”