Jersey City –The Guarini Center for Governmental Affairs at Saint Peter’s College will present the third lecture in the Guarini Lecture Series, its annual series of talks focusing on important public policy issues. As part of the College’s 2007/2008 schedule, New Jersey State Senator Joseph Vitale will discuss Universal Health Care on Thursday, February 28 at 11:00am in McIntyre Lounge (B) in Dinneen Hall. Following the hour-long lecture, there will be an opportunity for questions and answers.
Senator Vitale has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where he represents the 19th legislative district in Middlesex County, which includes Carteret Borough, Perth Amboy, Sayreville and Woodbridge Township. He is the current Senate Deputy Majority Leader and the Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. Senator Vitale’s focus during his tenure has been to ensure that all New Jerseyans, particularly working families, have access to high quality affordable healthcare. The Senator helped create KidCare, a health insurance program for children and later worked to expand that coverage to families, through FamilyCare.
The Senator has also sponsored the Emergency Health Powers Act, which requires nursing aides to undergo certified criminal background checks, and the Patient Safety Act, which establishes a reporting system for medical errors. He is also the sponsor of the 1999 New Jersey Homeless Youth Act, which allows minors to seek homeless shelter without parental approval. The Guarini Center for Governmental Affairs was established in 1994 by former New Jersey Congressman Frank Guarini, who is a former Trustee, as well as a former Chairman of the Board of Regents.The Center’s aim is to provide a non-partisan forum for discussion and analysis of key public policy issues and to encourage careers in public service among today’s students.
For additional information about the February 28th lecture,, please contact Professor Alky Danikas at 201-761-6203 or adanikas@spc.edu.