NEW BRUNSWICK — Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., D-South Plainfield, was honored by the American Federation of Teachers of New Jersey (AFTNJ) on April 20 during its annual Statewide Legislative Conference.
Diegnan received the prestigious Friend of Education Award during the ceremonial luncheon. According to the AFTNJ, the award is given “to those whom have made significant contributions to public service as well as a strong record of commitment to safeguard and improve public education.” From left: Donna Chiera, American Federation of Teachers of New Jersey president; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt; state Sen. Linda Greenstein; Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr.; Randi Weingarten, AFT president; state Sen. Nellie Pou; and Charlie Wowkanech, president, New Jersey State AFL-CIO at the AFTNJ's annual Statewide Legislative Conference. / Photo courtesy Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr.
“I am truly honored to be receiving the Friend of Education Award from the American Federation of Teachers of New Jersey representing over 30,000 of our state’s wonderful, hard-working educators,” Diegnan said. “New Jersey and our public school teachers preserve the basic promise of America, that no matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like, what your last name is, you can succeed. We’ve got a particular responsibility as elected officials in difficult times, instead of bashing teachers to support them; I will continue to fight for our teachers and all the children in their classrooms across our great state.”
