ASSEMBLYWOMAN EVELYN WILLIAMS TAKES OATH REPRESENTING 28th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

FOR RELEASE: CONTACT:
December 12, 2005 Assemblywoman Williams
(973) 242-6908
Regan McGrory
(609) 292-7065

ASSEMBLYWOMAN EVELYN WILLIAMS TAKES OATH
REPRESENTING 28TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
Williams Becomes First Newark Woman to Serve in General Assembly
In More than Quarter Century

(TRENTON) -- Evelyn Williams, a lifelong activist and advocate for the City of Newark, was sworn in today as a member of the State Assembly representing the 28th Legislative District, which includes Bellville, Bloomfield, Irvington, and a large portion of Newark.
Essex County Democratic Committee members voted November 14 to appoint Williams, 52, to fill the remaining term of Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Donald Koki Tucker, who died October 17 after a long illness.
Williams is currently director of social services for the Essex County Detention Center and has worked in the county's corrections system for the past 25 years. She formerly served as Deputy Mayor of the City of Newark and as President of the Newark School Board.
A city native, Williams resides in the Clinton Hill neighborhood in Newark's South Ward.
"It is honor and a privilege to have this opportunity to serve Essex County residents in another manner," said Williams. "I look forward to working with Mayor Sharpe James, Senator Ron Rice, and all of my fellow Newark and Essex County colleagues who serve in the state Legislature.
"I wish the circumstances were different for taking this position because Donald Tucker was so well respected and experienced, but I hope to carry on his work as an advocate for people who need a voice in the highest reaches of state government. I look forward to working on issues affecting education, children's health, and senior citizens."
Williams served four years as the first female president of the Essex County Policemen's Benevolent Association. Williams is a longtime Newark South Ward Democratic Committee leader and is involved with many local neighborhood advocacy and service organizations including the Clinton Hill "Weed & Seed" program.
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