Joseph A. Palaia
| Joseph A. Palaia | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 11th district |
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In office November 20, 1989 – January 8, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | John D'Amico, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Sean T. Kean |
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 11th district |
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In office January 12, 1982 – November 20, 1989 |
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| Preceded by |
John O. Bennett Marie Sheehan Muhler |
| Succeeded by | Paul A. Kapalko |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 3, 1927 Neptune, New Jersey |
| Died | August 20, 2016 (aged 89) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Wedell Simon (m. 1956–?, her death) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Ocean Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey |
| Alma mater |
Rider College Rutgers University |
Joseph A. "Joe" Palaia Sr. (February 3, 1927 – August 20, 2016) was an American politician. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1981 to 1989 and in the State Senate from 1989 to 2008, representing the 11th Legislative District.
Palaia was born in Neptune, New Jersey and was a graduate of New Jersey's Rider College where he received a B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1949. He then went to study at Rutgers University and was awarded an M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision. Before entering politics, Palaia was an educator, and principal of the Wanamassa Elementary School in Ocean Township (Monmouth County) where he resided.
Prior to entering the State Legislature, Palaia served in a variety of state and local elected offices. He was a member of the Ocean Township Council from 1967 to 1971 until he became mayor in 1971. During his tenure as mayor, the Seaview Square Mall was built and the oversaw the township's conversion of the Deal Test Site into a park which was renamed for him in 1998. Palaia served as Ocean Township's mayor until 1979. He then served on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1979 to 1981.
In 1981, Palaia was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature, where he served until 1989. In 1984, he served as the Assembly's Assistant Minority Whip. He chaired the Assembly Education Committee during the one term Republicans controlled the Assembly from 1986 to 1988. He created bills signed into law that would allow for the state takeover of failing school districts and the requirement that 11th grade high school students pass a standardized test (High School Proficiency Assessment) to graduate high school.
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