Nelson Albano

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Nelson Albano (born March 11, 1954) is an American Democratic Party politician, who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly where he represents the 1st legislative district, having taken office on January 10, 2006. Albano was elected to the Assembly on November 8, 2005, unseating John C. Gibson, who had held the seat since 2004 (and also served in the Assembly from 1992-2002). Albano is the Vice Chairman of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

[edit] Career

A native of Vineland, Albano has been active in South Jersey as an advocate for children, families and victim's rights. His son, Michael, was killed in 2001 by a repeat drunk driver. In his son's memory, he successfully lobbied to have "Michael's Law" enacted, which stiffens penalties for repeat drunk drivers, imposing prison terms in some cases.

Albano has been involved with organizations helping children and their families, such as raising thousand of dollars for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Albano and his wife have received awards from the New Jersey Senate and the Assembly for the work they have done for the FATAL organization which makes presentations to children in schools about the tragic consequences of drunk driving. He and his family received the Equal Justice Award by the New Jersey Association of Crime Victims Advocates for their efforts and pursuit of "Michael's Law".

Another such organization is the Gabriel Project where Albano has been involved with since it started in 1990, raising over $13,000 to help bring seriously ill children to the United States for heart surgery from Africa. One year Nelson and his wife Debbie, who is also actively involved with MADD, opened up their home to a child from Tanzania.

Albano was Assistant Director of the Harley Owners Group of Cumberland County where he participated in charity rides to raise funds for various organizations. Albano is working with an avid group of riders from the tri-county area to raise money for the hungry and the homeless through an event this June.

A member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union for 28 years, Nelson represents his fellow union members as shop steward at Village Supermarkets in Vineland.

Nelson Albano attended Sacred Heart High School in Vineland and then continued his education to earn a Journeymanship in Electrical Trades from the Cumberland County Vocational Technical School.

[edit] District 1

Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 1st Legislative District for the 2006-2008 legislative session are:

• Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, and
• Senator Nicholas Asselta

[edit] External links

• Assemblyman Albano's Legislative Website
• Campaign Website Van Drew & Albano
• New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure form for 2005 (PDF)