This article from today's Philadelphia Inquirer will fill you in. You can
vote on line. As we say in South Philly: "Vote Early AND Often!".
Steve
Posted on Wed, Dec. 13, 2006
Field narrows for first class in N.J. Hall of Fame
Springsteen? Thomas Edison?
By Tom Hester Jr.
Associated Press
TRENTON - Thomas Edison, Toni Morrison, Albert Einstein and Bruce
Springsteen earned their fame in different ways, but they may have something
in common:
They may be among the first inductees to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Yesterday, their names were among 25 nominated for enshrinement in the Hall
of Fame, which is to be built at the Meadowlands sports complex in East
Rutherford.
The nominees were chosen by a panel of experts that included university
professors, scientists, editors and authors, among others. They compiled a
list
of more than 100 potential nominees. The list was divided into five categories
and narrowed down to 25 people. Fifteen will eventually be chosen for the
first induction, to be held in 2007.
"The success and influence of these New Jersey Hall of Fame nominees is
indeed extraordinary," Gov. Corzine said. "People of all ages can be inspired
by
these great individuals, and we all can learn from their accomplishments."
The nominees are:
Arts and entertainment: Abbott and Costello, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra,
Bruce Springsteen and Meryl Streep.
Sports: Yogi Berra, Bill Bradley, Larry Doby, Althea Gibson and Vince
Lombardi.
History: Clara Barton, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Walt Whitman and
Woodrow Wilson.
Enterprise: Buzz Aldrin, Malcolm Forbes, Robert Wood Johnson, Mary Roebling
and David Sarnoff.
General: Justice William Brennan, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Toni Morrison, Gen.
Norman Schwarzkopf and Harriet Tubman.
The public will decide which 15 nominees get inducted and will have until
Feb. 28 to vote online at the Hall of Fame Web site - _www.njhalloffame.com_
(http://www.njhalloffame.com/) - or through ballots available at diners,
supermarkets and convenience stores across the state.
The New Jersey Hall of Fame stems from a bill quietly signed into law in
September 2005 by former Gov. Richard J. Codey that established the Hall of
Fame
commission.
It will exist only on the Web for an estimated three to five years as
organizers try to raise $10 million for construction of a museum at the
Meadowlands.
Organizers hope the first induction will be a splashy affair broadcast on
television and similar to Hollywood's biggest night, the Academy Awards.
"Not only will the Hall of Fame pay homage to the extraordinary people who
have made New Jersey their home, we also expect the museum will eventually
become a first-choice destination for school trips and families," said Bart
Oates, chairman of the hall commission and captain of the 1986 Super Bowl
champion New York Giants.
