As a prime sponsor of legislation that would authorize Gold Star plates, I welcome the Star-Ledger's call to stop stalling and start honoring the parents of our fallen service men and women. These license plates will allow parents to express both their grief at heartbreaking losses and pride in the courage and honor of their sons and daughters.

CONNERS WELCOMES HOME NEW JERSEY TROOPS WHO SERVED OVERSEAS IN IRAQ

(TRENTON) - Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs Chairman Jack Conners was among those today welcoming home nearly 3,000 New Jersey soldiers who voluntarily served in Iraq.

During ceremonies for the troops, Conners joined members of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, military leaders, state officials and residents to celebrate the return of the state's second largest deployment of New Jersey National Guard members. 

Conners issued the following statement:

"I extend a warm heartfelt welcome home and thank you to each of the brave members of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team who have returned to their home -- New Jersey.

SENATOR LESNIAK SENDS OFF NEW JERSEY’S MARINES

UNION – This morning, Senator Raymond Lesniak – a veteran of the U.S. Army – addressed 135 New Jersey Marines and their families at their deployment ceremony in Red Bank. The brave native sons and daughters will be the command element for a combat logistics battalion which will provide all logistics for the providence of Al Anbar in Iraq.

Senator Barak Obama has demonstrated that he is ill prepared to be President by agreeing with Nouri al-Maliki and undermining the Administration and this country.

So much for our promise to liberate Iraq, not to occupy it, and not to cart off its riches.

CONNERS TO ATTEND DEPLOYMENT CEREMONY
FOR 3,000 NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS

Assemblyman to Salute New Jersey Troops Headed Overseas

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Jack Conners, chairman of the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee, will attend the deployment of New Jersey National Guard members of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team tomorrow at Fort Dix.  Over 3,000 New Jersey soldiers will be deployed for "Operation Iraqi Freedom" during the next eight days. 

ROB ANDREWS' ENERGY POLICY: INVADE IRAQ

Frank Lautenberg’s campaign continues to assail primary challenger Rob Andrews on the Iraq War, claiming that the Democratic Congressman had more of a hand in the initial stages of the war than he’s let on. 

Lautenberg issued a press today saying that Andrews had participated in “closed meetings and telephone calls” with Bush Administration officials between the lead up to the war and 2006, and demanding that Andrews disclose the “times, place and subjects” of those meetings.

Andrews responded that he attended two Bush administration meetings with about 20 other Congressmen, both of which were  covered by the Washington press corps. 

Facing a steady stream of attacks for his original stance on the Iraq war, Rep. Rob Andrews sought to get out in front of the issue today, challenging incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg to stop dwelling on past positions and lay his own ideas out for the future of American involvement in Iraq.

“The U.S. Senate campaign should be a test of ideas about what to do next,” said Andrews.  “And it’s a choice between the tired, stale, old status quo politics that just complains, just hurls attacks, and a choice as to what to do next.”