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N.J. lawmakers react to refusal to light skyscraper in honor of the life-saving humanitarian

Have you heard about this?

The Empire State Building, which has honored the Chinese Communist revolution in light, has declined to honor the late Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta on Aug. 26, the centennial of her birth.

This has made Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris) a very unhappy legislator.

Webber on Thursday two resolutions to recognize Mother Teresa on her birth date and he is joined by Assembly members Peter Barnes (D-Middlesex), Caroline Casagrande (R-Monmouth) Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex) and Erik Peterson (R-Hunterdon).

The first resolution, AR-92, responds to the Empire State Building Lighting Partners' rejection of an application to illuminate the skyscraper in blue and white, the colors of the congregation Mother Teresa founded, the Missionaries of Charity.

Last Fall, the Partners approved of lighting the tower in red and yellow to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Chinese Communist revolution, whose dictator Mao Zedong was responsible for the deaths of millions of people. In the past the building also has been lighted for the Grateful Dead jam band and singer Mariah Carey.

The resolution urges the Partners and owner Anthony Malkin to reconsider their decision to disqualify Mother Teresa.

"So let's see whether we have this straight from Anthony Malkin and his Partners: Worthy of lighting the Empire State Building are Mao Zedong, Mariah Carey, and the Grateful Dead --- but not Mother Teresa, who helped shape the 20th century through her compassion and caring," Webber said. "It is perverse that the Empire State Building Partners and Mr. Malkin would choose to honor an oppressive Communist regime defined by terror and tyranny, but then refuse to honor a life-saving humanitarian whose life was selflessly dedicated to easing the pain of the suffering and sick. The absurdity of this situation towers nearly as tall as the skyscraper itself.

Webber said beyond Calcutta, few places have been more touched by Mother Teresa than the metropolitan area.

"Her Missionaries of Charity minister to the poor in the Bronx and across New Jersey, from Newark to Plainfield to Asbury Park,'' Webber said. "The New York City skyline is a treasured part of daily life for millions of New Jerseyans, many of whom have been helped or inspired by the heroic life of Mother Teresa. On their behalf, I ask the Empire State Building Lighting Partners to use their powerful icon to honor Mother Teresa. Such a tribute in lights would be fitting for a woman who brought the light of love to so many suffering in darkness," continued Webber.

The New York City Council is scheduled to consider its own resolution calling on the Building Partners to reconsider its decision.

The second Assembly resolution, AR-93, would declare August 26 to be Mother Teresa Day in New Jersey. Mother Teresa received in her lifetime 124 awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Medal of Freedom.

"New Jerseyans of all beliefs and backgrounds agree that Mother Teresa will be a model of selflessness for centuries to come, and I call on my colleagues in the Legislature to join me in honoring her extraordinary life and work," Webber said.

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM