| |
 |
|
"Improving
health care and safety for all New Jersey residents..."
The
Anne Klein Award
|
|
| |

Joseph F. Vitale was born on November 10, 1954 in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
He attended public schools in Woodbridge, NJ and graduated from John F.
Kennedy High School in Iselin. He is the president of Vitale Sign Corporation,
a family business founded in Rahway in 1950.
Senator Vitale has been serving in the New Jersey Senate since 1998, where
he represents the 19th Legislative District. He is the current Deputy
Majority Leader in the Senate. Also, Senator Vitale is the Chairman of
the Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee, and he serves
on the Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee as well
as the Economic Growth Committee.

Senator
Vitale’s focus during his tenure has been to ensure that
all New Jerseyans have access to high quality and affordable
health care, particularly working families. As a passionate
advocate for under-served populations, Senator Vitale has put
a priority on protecting the health of children and has sponsored
a diverse array of legislation geared towards this goal. The
senator helped create KidCare, a health insurance program for
children and later worked to expand that coverage to families,
in what became FamilyCare. In the spring of 2003, the Senator
saved NJ FamilyCare from being abolished, and he continues to
find ways to help the working uninsured of New Jersey. He has
sponsored bills to improve patient safety in health care facilities
including enhanced systems for reporting medical errors, restricting
the use of forced mandatory overtime for nurses, requiring the
use of safe needles and creating protocols for responding to
public health emergencies.

Listen
to Audio: Establishing a buy-in program for uninsured children.
|
Senator
Vitale is a member of the board of advisors for the Office of the
Child Advocate, the Governor’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS
and Related Blood-Borne Pathogens, the Advisory Council to promote
the Profession of Nursing, and the Mandated Health Benefits Commission.
|
|
Governor's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS
Senator Vitale is a member of the
council which studies ways to reduce the impact and spread of blood-borne
illnesses
The panel's
mission is to educate citizens on prevention and treatment, recommend
policy, and review issues facing people living with HIV/AIDS. The council
includes people involved in treatment and prevention programs, lawmakers
and state government officials. Advancing the health of New Jersey,
working with officials on the state and federal level and organizing
a grassroots effort, the council addresses the unique needs of this
population.
The New Jersey Association of Children’s Residential Facilities
Recognizes Senator Joseph F. Vitale as “Child Advocate
of the Year” for his commitment to improving the quality
of life for the children and youth in New Jersey, April 7, 2006
AARP New Jersey. “The power to make it better”
AARP proudly presents the 2006 Legislative Leadership Award to Senator
Joseph F. Vitale-On behalf of the 1.35 million AARP members in New Jersey,
we, the volunteer leaders and staff of AARP New Jersey,recognizing and
honoring State Senator Joseph Vitale, Deputy Majority Leader and Chairman
of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee,
for his steadfast support and leadership helping all Garden State residents
age with dignity.
Ann Klein Advocate Award
Presented to The Honorable Joseph F. Vitale-for his distinguished career
in public service and his sponsorship of legislation that improves health
care access and safety for all New Jersey residents. Community Health
Law Project-October 20, 2005
Legal Services of New Jersey
“The Richard J. Hughes Career Public Service Award”
recognizing individuals who, throughout a long period of public service,
have made exceptional contributions toward securing a more just society
for disadvantaged people presented to The Honorable Joseph F. Vitale
in recognition of his distinguished career in public service, and for
successful efforts to secure and preserver FamilyCare and Medicaid benefits
and provide other essential assistance and support for low-income people.
Presented May 3, 2006-New Brunswick, NJ
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of
New Jersey
2005 “Legislative Excellence Award”
presented to Joseph F. Vitale for outstanding support of Veterans’
legislation and a deep concern for Veterans and their families-February
5, 2005
Women’s Political Caucus “Good
Guys” Award, 2004
|
|