WHEREAS, Senator Laurence Weiss, a devoted family man, served honorably with the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War, and was awarded the Bronze and Silver Stars, the Purple Heart and the American, Asiatic and European Theater Ribbons; and

WHEREAS, Senator Weiss dedicated many years in public service to the people of the State of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Senator Weiss held several public offices, including President of the Woodbridge Library Board and member of the Middlesex County Planning Board, prior to being elected to the New Jersey Senate; and

WHEREAS, Senator Weiss was elected to the New Jersey State Senate in 1977, where he served for 14 years; and

WHEREAS, Senator Weiss held numerous leadership positions including service as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee for 11 years and Chairman of the Joint Appropriations Committee for 6 years; and

WHEREAS, it is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Senator Weiss and extend our sincerest sympathy to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to honor the memory and the passing of Senator Weiss;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Thursday, January 8, 2004 in recognition and mourning of the passing of Senator Weiss.
   
   
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 6th day of January in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Four, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Eighth.

/s/ James E. McGreevey

Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Michael R. DeCotiis