Ronald L. Rice, a longtime public servant of New Jersey, served in the New Jersey State Senate representing the 28th Legislative District from 1986 to 2022. Senator Rice was one of the longest-serving state senators in New Jersey history.
Senator Rice received his A.S. from Essex County College in Police Science, a B.S. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Administration and Planning, and an M.A. from Rutgers University in Criminal Justice. He served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marines from 1966 to 1970, in the Vietnam War. Before entering politics, Rice was a police officer with the Newark Police Department for eight years.
In August 1986, Rice was elected in a special election to serve the 28th district and was seated on December 4, 1986. During his tenure he served on Community and Urban Affairs, where he was the Vice-Chair, Joint Committee on Housing Affordability, Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunities, Joint Committee on the Public School, and Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens.
Senator Rice was as an active member of NBCSL. He served as the Chair of the Labor and Veterans Affairs (LVM) Policy Committee for several years and served on NBCSL’s Executive Committee under several administrations. As a very active member, he introduced and sponsored resolutions that was adopted and ratified by the NBCSL member body throughout the years. These resolutions included many of critical importance to the voice of Labor like Resolution LWD-21-18; A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROTECTING ESSENTIAL WORKERS, Resolution LWD-21-10 – A RESOLUTION ON REAFFIRMING OUR SUPPORT FOR PAY EQUITY FOR WOMEN, and Resolution LWD-20-43, A RESOLUTION ON PROTECTING THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE.
Senator Rice will be missed greatly by his NBCSL family. We will continue to honor his legacy through our work in NBCSL.