Awards

U.S. House of Representatives

2025 

Congressional Champion of the Year — New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA)

Health Defender Award — John P. Mayhugh Foundation 

Distinguished Community Health Center Advocate Award — National Association of Community Health Centers

Legislator of the Year — Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI)

MITRE Health Defender of the Year Award — John P. Mayhugh Foundation

One Hundred Percent Award  — Family Research Council (FRC) Action

Shot@Life Congressional Champion — Shot@Life 

American PATRIOT Award — Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) for America 

2024

Hero of Main Street — National Retail Federation

Vincent J. Bollon Congressional Leadership Award — Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Advocate for American Business Award — U.S. Chamber of Commerce

New Jersey State Senate 

2021 

Made in New Jersey Honor Roll — New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP)

Outstanding Legislator of the Year — Veterans of Foreign Wars State and Auxiliary 

2019 

Mental Health Champion of the Year ­— Mental Health America/Mental Health Association of New Jersey 

Library Champion Award — New Jersey Library Association

Advocacy Champion of the Year — New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking 

Social Responsibility Award — New Jersey YMCA Alliance

Certificate of Appreciation — New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities

2018

Mental Health Champion of the Year — Mental Health America / Mental Health Association of New Jersey

Library Champion Award — New Jersey Library Association

Recognizing Excellence Library Champion Award — New Jersey Library Association 

2017

Certification of Appreciation — New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities

Elected Officials of the Year (District 21 Legislators) — The Libraries of Union County Consortium 

2016

Recognition for Access to Oral Healthcare— New Jersey Dental Association

2015

State Legislator of the Year — National Keeping Babies Safe 

Humane State Legislator Award — The Humane Society of the U.S. 

Legislative Champion Award — New Jersey Tech Council 

Arthur T. Young Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award — New Jersey Wholesale Manufacturers Association

Conservation Leadership Award — New Jersey Outdoor Alliance 

2014

Equal Justice Award — Legal Services of New Jersey

2013

Legislator of the Year — New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA)

Legislator of the Year — New Jersey Apartments Association (NJAA)

Champion for the Greater Good — United Way of Greater Union

Outstanding Community Service — IBPOE of With Civil Liberties Department 

Legislator of the Year — American Kennel Club 

2012

NJ Legislative Excellence Award— New Jersey Council of County Colleges

Distinguished Arts Advocate — Art Pride New Jersey

Presidential Citation— New Jersey State First Aid Council 

2011

Humane State Legislator Award — The Humane Society of the U.S. 

New Jersey Small Business Advocate — New Jersey Small Business Development Center 

Byrne-Kean Advocate Award— Paper Mill Playhouse 

Legislator of the Year— New Jersey Federation of Republicans 

2010

Paul L. Troast Award — New Jersey Business and Industry Association

Certificate of Distinguished Service — The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

2009

Legislator of the Year — New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

Outstanding Work of Behalf of the Jewish Community — Agudath Israel 

Legislative Leadership Award — New Jersey Association of Community Providers, Inc. 

2008

Citation of Contributions — New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children

Appreciation Certificate — New Jersey State Association of Jewish Federations

2007       

Outstanding Legislator Award — Food Council Committee for Good Government

Senate, No. 1926 Plaque — New Jersey Breathes Coalition of the Institute of Medicine and Public

2006

Legislator of the Year — New Jersey Association of Builders and Contractors

2005

Tree of Life Award — Jewish National Fund

Governmental Leadership Award — Advocates for New Jersey History

Defender of the Family — New Jersey Family Policy Council