The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) today announced that State Senator Joseph Palaia is the recipient of its 2004 Paul L. Troast Award. The Troast Award is presented annually to a public servant who has made an outstanding contribution to the State of New Jersey and its business community.

NJBIA President Philip Kirschner said Palaia, a veteran legislator and former member of the Senate Labor Committee, was recognized for his efforts in promoting education, a skilled workforce, and economic growth and development in New Jersey.

"Throughout his two decades of service to the people of New Jersey, Joseph Palaia has understood that employers need two things to be successful-dedicated workers with the skills they need and the flexibility to manage their workforces to fit their businesses," NJBIA President Philip Kirschner said. "He has successfully fought for higher standards in education and against one-size fits all workplace mandates. That's why NJBIA is proud to present State Senator Joseph A. Palaia with its 2004 Paul L. Troast Award."

Palaia has been instrumental in improving New Jersey's educational system, a critical issue for employers who rely on entry-level workers with good basic skills. Senator Palaia has been a leader in holding school districts accountable, sponsoring the law enabling the State to assume control over failing school districts. He also championed the mandatory testing of all 11th graders as a condition of graduation.

As a former member of the Senate Labor Committee, Senator Palaia has consistently supported probusiness legislation to reduce taxes, improve the business climate and enact fair labor policies.

Paul Troast was a founder of the highly successful Troast Construction Company and served as chairman of the board of NJBIA and its affiliate, the New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co., from 1963 until his death in 1972. He made so many contributions to New Jersey and its business community that Governor Richard Hughes called him "Mr. New Jersey".