EVANS TAKES OATH AS ASSEMBLYWOMAN FOR 35TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 

Lawmaker Brings Expertise in Social Services, Local Government, Civil Rights 
 
(TRENTON) - Elease Evans, a well-known community activist and government official from Paterson, was sworn in today as an Assemblywoman representing the 35th Legislative District in Passaic and Bergen counties.

"This is an opportunity to advocate for working families and all New Jerseyans who look to government to provide better schools, safer neighborhoods, and economic empowerment," said Evans (D-Paterson), who brings the number of African-American women in the state Legislature to eight - the most in state history. 

Assemblywoman Evans will represent Glen Rock in Bergen County and the Passaic County communities of Haledon, Hawthorne, North Haledon, Paterson, Prospect Park and Totowa.

Assemblywoman Evans is the first African-American woman to represent the 35th District.  She will serve with Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-Paterson) and Senator John A. Girgenti (D-Hawthorne).  This is first time that two minority women both will simultaneously hold office in the same district. 
Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., praised Evans as a woman who brings significant leadership skills and proven government experience to the Legislature. 

"Elease Evans has an unbridled passion about public service and is totally committed to the mission of advocacy for women, children, the elderly and economically disenfranchised families," said Roberts (D-Camden).  "We are fortunate to have such a profoundly experienced and distinguished individual join the state Legislature."

Evans served as the Passaic County Freeholder Director for the past three years.  She was elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2002 and 2005.  Evans began her career in public office in 1985, when she was elected to one of two terms on the Paterson Board of Education. 

Evans worked her way up through the ranks at the Passaic County Board of Social Services, where she began her 33-year career as a clerk-typist and retired as a senior training technician. 

She currently serves as chair of the Paterson Cancer Initiative, vice-chair of Planning and Economic Development Committee for the New Jersey Planning Authority, and as a member of the boards of the YMCA of Clifton & Passaic, Eva's Shelter in Paterson and the New Jersey Clean Air Council.
Previously, Evans served as president of the Paterson branch of the NAACP, chair/commissioner of the Paterson Parking Authority and as a member of the Mayor's Task Force on Crime and Drugs.

Evans will serve out the unexpired term of former Assemblyman Al Steele, who resigned in September.  Evans also has been elected to a full two-year term for the upcoming 2008-09 legislative session.
Evans lives with her husband, Billie Evans, on Paterson's Eastside.  She has three children -- Don, Patrick and Karen -- and nine grandchildren.
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