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NEW JERSEY GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JOE PENNACCHIO
ASSEMBLYMAN, 26TH DISTRICT
MORRIS AND PASSAIC COUNTIES
101 GIBRALTAR DRIVE, SUITE 1-A
MORRIS PLAINS, NJ 07950
(978) 984-0922 Fax(978)984.8094
AsmPennacchio@njleg.org

COMMITTEE

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

For Immediate Release:
May 20, 2004

Contact: Amie Forgatch
973-984-0922 until 4:30 P.M.
973-769-1374 after 4:30 P.M.

Assemblyman to Governor: Where is the Money?
Jefferson, NJ -- Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris, Passaic) today, at a press conference regarding the Highlands, made the following statement:

On July 4th, we will be celebrating our Nation's 228th birthday. As we reflect on that day, we also remember the sacrifices that our fledgling nation made in order to have our God given rights.

Since its inception, the protection of property, the protection of one's land, has been central to those rights expressed in our Declaration of Independence and codified within our Constitution.

Today, in not so subtle a way, our state is challenging whether the protection of those rights andd principles still apply.

The `Highlands Bill' with no funding source, with no reasonable expectation for equitable reimbursement of property, is counter to our Founding Fathers principles of protection of rights, and freedoms.

The state can make up all sorts of reasons for acquiring this land, or any land, through. legislative or regulatory annexation but without a fair and just compensation those arguments all ring hollow.

To the people whose land is being taken: Does it make a difference whether it is the State of New Jersey or Vladimir Lenin, himself, who is taking their land?

To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln -- If we do not believe in the principles of our foundation as a nation, in the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitution, then tear it up. Tear it up and start all over again.

If, however, those principles are as important to us, today, as they have been for the past 228 years -- then let us strive to reaffirm and protect those rights and freedoms.

#####

Proceed with Caution with the Highlands Bill

"The theory of communism may be summed up in a single sentence, The Abolition of Private Property."
The Communist Manifesto, 1848
Karl Marx and Frederick Engels

"The Abolition of existing property relations is not at all a distinctive feature of communism."
(You can say that again)
The Communist Manifesto, 1848
Karl Marx and Frederick Engels

"No man is good enough to govern another man without the others consent."
Abraham Lincoln, 1858

Assemblyman Pennacchio asks:
"To the people whose land is being taken: Does it make a difference whether it is the State of New Jersey or Vladimir Lenin, himself, who is taking their land?"