Assemblyman wishes best for class of '07

I wish to extend my congratulations to the 2007 high school graduates of East Brunswick, Spotswood, South River, Helmetta, South Plainfield, Metuchen, and Edison. These young men and women are our leaders of tomorrow. They have already made our community proud, and I have no doubt that they will continue to be the pride of their neighborhoods.

As a 1974 graduate of J.P. Stevens High School in Edison, I was asked to speak at the graduation ceremony on June 21. Unfortunately, the General Assembly had a voting session at the Statehouse to approve New Jersey's 2008 budget, along with voting on a considerable amount of bills. During voting sessions, members are practically sequestered at the Statehouse, and since the voting session did not end until well after 9 p.m., I regretfully could not have the honor of addressing the graduates. However, I did not want this opportunity to pass without expressing my best wishes to our best and brightest.

I sincerely wish all the 2007 graduates the best of luck in all their future endeavors and I want to thank them for making our towns an even better place to live.

Peter Barnes III

Assemblyman

18th District