I know about the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, even the Computer Hall of Fame (yes, there really is one in San Diego), but now, there is a hall of fame for those who have claimed the Garden State their home. Today, the first 15 people will be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Right now, the hall of fame is only virtual – that is, there is no museum to hold memorabilia of those honored. But, officials are trying to raise money to make a permanent home a reality.
When I first saw this headline, the old Saturday Night Live Joe Piscapo line “I’m from Jersey! Are you from Jersey?” ran through my head. But, when I read the list of people to be inducted tomorrow, it was like “Wow, what an eclectic group!”
Who all is set to be inducted into the Garden State hall of fame? The those being honored today are singer Bruce Springsteen, singer/actor Frank Sinatra, former New York Yankee Yogi Berra, scientist Albert Einstein, inventor Thomas Edison, author Toni Morrison, Oscar winner Meryl Streep, astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Army General Normal Schwarzkopf, humanitarian Clara Barton, entrepreneur Malcolm Forbes, philanthropist Robert Wood Johnson II (of Johnson & Johnson), basketball star and former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, abolitionist Harriet Tubman, and football coach Vince Lombardi.
Actually not all those inducted were born in New Jersey (such as Einstein who was born in Germany), but were people who made great contributions to society that eventually made New Jersey their home. The hall’s executive director, Don Jay Smith, said, “New Jersey is often the butt of jokes, nationally, and yet when people see who has claimed New Jersey as their home, they will be very impressed.”
Two those being inducted, Meryl Streep and Bill Bradley, are so honored, they have asked that the presentation of the award be held until they can attend in person.