Patrick J. Diegnan
Encyclopedia
Patrick J. Diegnan is an American Democratic Party
politician
, who has served in the New Jersey
General Assembly
since 2002, where he represents the 18th legislative district.
, graduating from South Plainfield High School
in 1966. Residents of South Plainfield, Diegnan and his wife Anita have been married for 35 years and have two children, Heather and Tara. Heather and her husband, Frank Paragano, graced the family in February 2009 with the birth of their daughter, Vanessa.
Diegnan received a B.A.
from Seton Hall University
in Political Science / Government and was awarded a J.D.
from the Seton Hall University School of Law
. Currently, Diegnan is an attorney in private practice in South Plainfield and is a member of the New Jersey and Middlesex County Bar Associations since 1974. He is also a former instructor of law and accounting at Middlesex County College
.
Diegnan has served in the Assembly as Deputy Speaker (since 2008) and Parliamentarian (since 2005), and is Chairman of the Education Committee and a member of the Regulated Professions and Consumer Affairs Committees. He was also the first chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee.
In 2011, he was the primary sponsor of Assembly Bill 3852, which requires voter approval at the annual school election or by the board of school estimate before a new charter school can be authorized to operate in a district. Under the existing system, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education
can grant charters regardless of community opinion, with Diegnan noting that allowing voters and local boards of education a say in the granting of new schools would "help ensure that the charter schools that are created fit the needs of the community". The bill passed in the Assembly in June 2011 by a 47-17 margin.
Diegnan was the primary sponsor of legislation requiring school districts to develop policies to address the issue of concussions in student athletes. Assembly Bill 2743, signed into law on December 7, 2010, requires development of interscholastic athletic head injury safety training program; requires certain measures to protect student athletes with concussions; and requires continuing education for athletic trainers. According to State Senator Richard Codey, one of the sponsors of the Senate version of the bill, his efforts led to the creation of, "The most comprehensive bill on concussions in the country, by far."
and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly
. The other representatives from the 18th District for the 2010-2011 Legislative Session are:
The 18th Legislative District
includes East Brunswick Township, Edison Township, Helmetta Borough, Metuchen Borough, South Plainfield Borough, South River Borough and Spotswood Borough.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who has served in the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
since 2002, where he represents the 18th legislative district.
Early life and family
He was born and raised in South Plainfield, New JerseySouth Plainfield, New Jersey
South Plainfield is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 23,385....
, graduating from South Plainfield High School
South Plainfield High School
South Plainfield High School is a four-year, co-ed public high school located in South Plainfield, New Jersey, United States. It is the sole high school in the South Plainfield Public Schools...
in 1966. Residents of South Plainfield, Diegnan and his wife Anita have been married for 35 years and have two children, Heather and Tara. Heather and her husband, Frank Paragano, graced the family in February 2009 with the birth of their daughter, Vanessa.
Diegnan received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
in Political Science / Government and was awarded a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the Seton Hall University School of Law
Seton Hall University School of Law
The Seton Hall University School of Law is part of Seton Hall University, and is located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Seton Hall Law School is the only private law school in New Jersey, and is the top-ranked of the three law schools in the state...
. Currently, Diegnan is an attorney in private practice in South Plainfield and is a member of the New Jersey and Middlesex County Bar Associations since 1974. He is also a former instructor of law and accounting at Middlesex County College
Middlesex County College
Middlesex County College is a community college with its main campus located in Edison, New Jersey, United States. The two-year college serves the needs of Middlesex County, as well as surrounding communities. There are two urban campuses located in New Brunswick and Perth Amboy.The college was...
.
Legislative career
Diegnan was first elected to represent the 18th Legislative District in 2001, and was re-elected to his fifth term in 2009.Diegnan has served in the Assembly as Deputy Speaker (since 2008) and Parliamentarian (since 2005), and is Chairman of the Education Committee and a member of the Regulated Professions and Consumer Affairs Committees. He was also the first chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee.
Legislative accomplishments
Diegnan was the primary sponsor of Assembly Bill 3331, introduced in 2003, which creates the certification of Technology Education for teachers.In 2011, he was the primary sponsor of Assembly Bill 3852, which requires voter approval at the annual school election or by the board of school estimate before a new charter school can be authorized to operate in a district. Under the existing system, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education
New Jersey Department of Education
The New Jersey Department of Education administers state and federal aid programs affecting more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children in the state of New Jersey. The department is headquartered in Trenton.The Department is responsible for ensuring that...
can grant charters regardless of community opinion, with Diegnan noting that allowing voters and local boards of education a say in the granting of new schools would "help ensure that the charter schools that are created fit the needs of the community". The bill passed in the Assembly in June 2011 by a 47-17 margin.
Diegnan was the primary sponsor of legislation requiring school districts to develop policies to address the issue of concussions in student athletes. Assembly Bill 2743, signed into law on December 7, 2010, requires development of interscholastic athletic head injury safety training program; requires certain measures to protect student athletes with concussions; and requires continuing education for athletic trainers. According to State Senator Richard Codey, one of the sponsors of the Senate version of the bill, his efforts led to the creation of, "The most comprehensive bill on concussions in the country, by far."
District 18
Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey SenateNew Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
. The other representatives from the 18th District for the 2010-2011 Legislative Session are:
- Senator Barbara BuonoBarbara BuonoBarbara Buono is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 2002, where she represents the 18th Legislative District....
, and - Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes IIIPeter J. Barnes IIIPeter J. Barnes III is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in New Jersey's General Assembly since 2007, where he represents the 18th legislative district...
The 18th Legislative District
18th Legislative District (New Jersey)
New Jersey's 18th Legislative District is one of 40 in the state, covering the Middlesex County municipalities of East Brunswick Township, Edison Township, Helmetta Borough, Metuchen Borough, South Plainfield Borough, South River Borough and Spotswood Borough As of the 2000 United States Census,...
includes East Brunswick Township, Edison Township, Helmetta Borough, Metuchen Borough, South Plainfield Borough, South River Borough and Spotswood Borough.
External links
- Assemblyman Diegnan's legislative web page, New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey LegislatureThe New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
- New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms
- Assembly Member Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- New Jersey Voter Information Website 2003