A somber Christie appeared before the Legislature on Tuesday, about 14 hours after Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce collapsed and died on the last day of the 214th session.
"As you know, I was to come here today to report on the state of our state," Christie told the joint session. "I will fulfill that constitutional obligation by addressing you and our citizens more fully next week. For today, it's enough to say that the state of our state is getting better. Today our hearts are full of sadness."
The GOP governor described DeCroce as a colleague, mentor and friend, and told lawmakers the Republican leader died "doing what he loved, serving the people of New Jersey. "
But that "does not lessen the pain," he said.
On what was to be a day of pomp and circumstance with the swearing-in of new lawmakers, the Legislature largely abandoned its plans in favor of a somber, low-key event.
Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver broke down as she described DeCroce as a career public servant of the highest caliber.
The Assembly observed a moment of silence for DeCroce as the lawmakers were sworn in for a new term. Bagpipes played before the ceremony, and a small bouquet of flowers rested on the late legislator's empty desk.
DeCroce's name was read along with the names of other assemblymen and women during the swearing-in.
His widow, Betty Lou DeCroce, a deputy commissioner with the state Department of Community Affairs, was present.
DeCroce, 75, died after a busy night of voting that closed out the previous session.
Assemblyman Herb Conaway, the Legislature's only physician, said DeCroce had complained during the day of arm pain and feeling ill. He said he and state troopers tried unsuccessfully to revive the northern New Jersey lawmaker, administering CPR.
"He served admirably for many years and he will certainly be missed," Conaway said.
Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick also said he noticed DeCroce didn't seem to feel well on Monday during the marathon lame-duck session.
"But there was no indication that it was the result of anything other than it being a long day," Bramnick said. "It was 11 at night and no one was feeling too well."
DeCroce, who owned a real estate company and lived in Parsippany-Troy Hills, served in the Assembly since 1989 and became the GOP's leader in 2003. His district includes parts of Morris and Passaic counties.
