Gov Christie Honors Late Congressman Bob Franks

In 2010, Congressman Bob Franks died of cancer at the age of 58. Franks was a rarity in the world of politics. He was almost universally liked and respected.

Today, Gov. Christie remembered Franks by officially dedicating NJ TRANSIT’s Union Rail Station in his honor. The congressman was instrumental in securing the federal funds which culminated in the planning, construction and current operation of the widely-used Raritan Valley Line station.

“Bob Franks was truly one of a kind: compassionate, principled and committed to delivering results for the people he served, whether in Trenton, Washington DC, or here in the streets of Union,” says Christie. “This station is the direct result of his leadership and determination to make life better for the New Jerseyans he represented and I’m honored today to dedicate this station with Bob’s wife, Fran, and their three daughters: Sara, Abigail and Kelly.”

The world of New Jersey politics and Bob Franks went hand-in-hand for years. For 13 years he was a member of the General Assembly where he authored the law creating N.J.’s Transportation Trust Fund. While in Congress, Franks served on the powerful Budget Committee and Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

“There is no doubt that New Jersey is a better place because of the work of Bob Franks,” says Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Simpson. “His foresight in creating the Transportation Trust Fund has enabled our state to continue to expand our mass transportation network and provide a mechanism for the maintenance of our roads and infrastructure.”