Paul Sarbanes

June 11, 2009 - 8:44pm

At Greek celebration, Corzine says like many New Jerseyans, 'I came here by choice'

Gov. Jon Corzine signs an executive order creating the Hellenic-American Heritage Commission.

PRINCETON - Branded an outsider early in his race with GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie, and the prodigal son of either Wall Street or Illinois, or both, Gov. Jon Corzine seized on the presence of 350 Greek Americans in Drumthwacket this evening to make his case as a New Jerseyan by choice. 

"Thirty-percent of people in New Jersey today are first or second generation immigrants," added Corzine, moments before signing an executive order creating the Hellenic-American Heritage Commission to be headed by Zenon Christodoulou, son of the late Dr. Chris Christodolou, a national leader in the Greek-American community for 30 years. 

"This state has always welcomed people who have thought of this place as one of oppportunity, who recognize the wonder of our diversity," said Corzine at an event where guests enjoyed Greek cuisine, folkloric dancing and a dramatic reading of Plato's Apology. 

Joining the governor onstage was former U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland), a Greek-American who went to Princeton University and who has family ties to Southern New Jersey.

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