Codeys to be Honored 1

Codeys to be Honored on April 19th by West Bergen Mental Healthcare

Mrs. Mary Jo and Senator Richard Codey

The 2009 recipients of West Bergen Mental Healthcare’s Distinguished Service Award are NJ Senate President Richard J. Codey and Mrs. Mary Jo Codey. This symbol of excellence, which is given each year to exceptional community leaders, will be presented to the Codeys at West Bergen’s 32nd Annual Brunch on Sunday, April 19th, 12 noon, at the Sheraton Crossroads Hotel in Mahwah. Reservations to the Brunch are $75 per person. A Commemorative Journal honoring the Codeys is also being published. For further information, please call Carol Cohen at West Bergen, (201) 444-3550, or email: ccohen@westbergen.org

In announcing the selection, Quentin W. Wiest, Ridgewood, President of West Bergen’s Board of Trustees, said, “I am honored to join with my fellow Board Members in congratulating Senator and Mrs. Codey on this prestigious award. For more than 30 years, they have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of New Jersey’s citizens. Individually, and as a couple, they have been strong public health care advocates – especially for mental health – and we are very grateful.”

Former First Lady Mary Jo Codey is a devoted wife and mother, a gifted educator and counselor and a staunch champion for individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness or breast cancer. Her personal experiences with both clinical depression and breast cancer make her uniquely qualified to speak out on both of these serious health concerns.

As New Jersey’s First Lady, she welcomed the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the
Governor’s newly created Task Force on Mental Health. Having survived postpartum depression, Mrs. Codey became the face of a statewide educational campaign: “Recognizing Postpartum Depression: Speak Up When You’re Down”, which provided valuable support and medical help for women and their families.

Mrs. Codey also helped launch a statewide fundraising campaign in support of breast cancer and the importance of early detection. She is an active member of the New Jersey Education Association and while First Lady, served as Ambassador to the Governor’s Book Club, which encouraged reading and literacy skills among elementary school children. In this role, Mrs. Codey visited schools around the state and was able to do what she loves best… “read to children”.

Senate President Richard J. Codey began his career in state government as an Assemblyman in 1973. He became a Senator in 1982, and while serving as Senate President in 2004, he assumed the Governorship when Governor James McGreevey resigned. During a career in state government that has spanned more than three decades, Senate President and former Governor Codey has earned a reputation as an independent thinker and a champion of change to benefit the public good.

Throughout his distinguished service, Senator Codey has become known for his advocacy on behalf of the mentally ill, working tirelessly to improve treatment, care and education for those with mental illness. From his now legendary undercover stint at Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital to his time as Governor, Senator Codey has continued to bring the struggles of the mentally ill to the forefront of the public’s attention. His first official act as Governor was to establish a taskforce to report on the direction New Jersey should take in delivering improved services to its mentally ill.

Senator Codey has also been a vocal and lifelong advocate for public health issues, children and families. He has signed or sponsored numerous landmark legislation including: the Indoor Smoke Free Air Act; the law raising the tobacco purchasing age to 19; the NJ Hero Act, which saves lives through organ and tissue donation; the nation’s first statewide assault weapons ban and the nation’s first childproof handgun law, as well as a package of laws to crack down on internet predators. As Governor, Senator Codey signed legislation requiring GPS tracking for sex offenders. Over the years, he has also played a critical role in advancing medical research and scientific progress, as well as championing and funding innovative cancer research.

All proceeds from the Annual Brunch go toward West Bergen’s Center for Children and Youth in Ramsey. The Center provides quality counseling, psychiatric and addiction treatment services for youngsters in our community, ages 2-18. No one is ever denied services at West Bergen because of inability to pay.

Photo courtesy of Senator Codey’s office.