Earn Your Way Out: Testimony
On Thursday, Nov. 14, The Assembly Appropriations Committee heard testimonies from criminal justice advocates in support of Earn Your Way Out (EWO) S761/A1986 – the most significant criminal justice reform proposed in America. Here are some of those testimonies: …
Adoption Ceremony For Vincent The Miracle Cat
Vincent, the miracle cat, was adopted today after four months in quarantine – a tribute to Sue who saved Vincent, Brenna who adopted Vincent, and my wife Salena who instilled in me her love for animals. When Salena…
Happy Kids Heal Faster
A long time friend of mine, Hank Sheinkopf, prominent political advisor to mayors, governors and presidents, called me last year and asked for a favor, “Could you introduce Toys for Hospitalized Children to hospitals in New Jersey?” I responded…
Vincent The Miracle Kitten Needs Your Help
For all of you who have been following Vincent the miracle kitten’s journey to recovery, I’m pleased to report Vincent is recovering well. As you know, Sue risked her well being to save Vincent and the Monmouth County SPCA…
How Legal Sports Betting Came To New Jersey
Speech by Senator Lesniak at NJ Bar Association Sports Betting Conference at Monmouth Park Racetrack: I see today’s agenda focuses on the future impact of sports betting in New Jersey, so I thought I’d spend my few minutes to…
Update: Vincent The Miracle Cat
Sue and I were pleased to toast the successful surgery on Friday for Vincent the Miracle Cat (Can you guess the origin of Vincent’s name? Pretty obvious.) All is well! Vincent’s ear was badly damaged and needed to be…
Remembering Salena Lesniak
Today, we say goodbye to Salena Lesniak, our founder & president, Senator Raymond J. Lesniak’s wife and partner for over 20 years. Salena will be greatly mourned by so many, as she touched the lives of so many people…
Take Action To End The Abuse of Solitary Confinement In New Jersey
The abuse of solitary confinement in prisons is well documented. This abuse was on the brink of ending in New Jersey, but Governor Christie vetoed my legislation ending it. “The move was a blow to civil liberties advocates in…
Juneteenth
We celebrate Juneteenth as a reminder that the Emancipation Proclamation was only the beginning of the end to slavery in America and that the struggle for justice never ends. As Dr. King stated “We shall overcome because the arc…
From LGBTQ Supporter to Advocate
As a state legislator, I always supported LGBTQ Rights. In 1991, I supported amending New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity – but I was not a co-sponsor of the legislation. Supporting equality with…
Sports Betting Anniversary
Today, we celebrate the first anniversary of the Supreme Court decision declaring the federal ban on sports betting, PASPA, unconstitutional. My journey to bring legal sports betting to America started eleven years earlier on March 30, 2007 when my…
Golf with Donald Trump
Some years ago before Donald Trump expressed any interest in running for President, my friends Mike Sciarra, George Norcross and I played a round of golf with The Donald at his club in West Palm Beach. Trump is actually…
The Last President of The Greatest Generation
President George H. W. Bush exemplified the greatest generation of Americans who grew up during the great depression and fought during World War II, the greatest threat to our nation and the world. His entire history of service to…
September 11 Tribute
On September 10, 2001, at 9:30 am, I was in a meeting at the Port Authority’s office in the World Trade Center Building. One day later, 2,977 men and women died. There but for the grace of God go…
What John McCain’s Life & Death Taught Me
Never let adversity hold you back. Let it inspire you. There’s a line in a song by The Band Perry – If I Die Young – “Funny when you’re dead how people start listenin”. Senator John McCain didn’t die…
Our Commitment to the Community
The Lesniak Institute For American Leadership has seven specific causes in its advocacy mission- Animal Welfare, Community Service, Criminal & Social Justice, Addiction, Curbing Gun Violence, Education, Environmental Protection.
A Lifetime Of Advocacy Started At 12 yrs. Old
My political career didn’t begin until I graduated St. John’s Law School, but here’s how my commitment to being a voice for the voiceless and for social justice began:
Make America Kind Again
Today’s political and personal discourse in America has devolved to a place where the insult of the day is an everyday occurrence. We hear it from President Trump and from President Trump’s opponents. We hear it from individuals directed…
How To Put Your Passion Into Action – The Lesniak Institute For American Leadership
Putting Your Passion Into Action is easy. First go to https://thelesniakinstitute.com/what-we-do/, check out the cause or causes that interest you, stay connected, and sign up for our newsletter and blog. The only charge is your willingness to put your…
