Beck receives 2009 Millicent Fenwick Outstanding Public Service Award

BERNARDS – The Somerset County Federation of Republican Women (SCFRW) on Thursday night at the Bernards Inn honored state Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank) with their 17th Annual Millicent Fenwick Award for Outstanding Public Service.

A packed banquet hall included “sister Senator” Marcia Karrow (R-Raritan Twp.), Assemblyman Pete Biondi (R-Hillsborough), past award recipients Assemblywoman Denise Coyle (R-Bernards) and Somerset County Freeholder Pat Walsh, Somerset County GOP Chairman Dale Florio (who worked as a congressional aide for Fenwick), Somerset County Freeholder Jack M. Ciattarelli, Union County GOP Finance Chair Kelly Hatfield, and many others.

A gratified Beck received the federation’s award from Coyle.

The SCFRW each year presents this award to a woman who epitomizes Republican public service in the spirit of the late U.S. Rep. Millicent Fenwick (R-Bernards), who served as a congresswoman from 1974 to 1982 before her appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Culture - who once said, “The only people who would be in government are those who care more about people than they do about power.”

Other past recipients include former Gov. Christie Todd Whitman (whose daughter, Kate Whitman, now serves as vice president of the SCFRW) and state Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington).

“The award… acknowledges and recognizes those women who have dedicated their lives to providing service to others, and who exemplify Republican values,” said Janice M. Fields, president of the SCFRW. “This award also reflects the federation’s intent to ensure that the achievements of these women are recorded in history.

“Millicent Fenwick was a special person in New Jersey and in Congressional history,” the president added. “Always the lady, she was an effective leader in New Jersey and in Congress, but was never touched by the political intrigue or pettiness we frequently see in politics. Instead, Millicent Fenwick became known for the work she did and the unique person she was.”

A much talked about prospect for the office of lieutenant governor this year, Beck nailed down her second prestigious women’s group award named in honor of a New Jersey woman politician in as many years, having received the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award from the Women's Political Caucus in 2008.