Donald Kofi Tucker
Encyclopedia
Donald Kofi Tucker was a representative to the New Jersey
General Assembly
from 1994, serving the 28th legislative district until his death. Despite his failing health — he suffered from diabetes, survived a stroke
, and had a pacemaker
implanted — he remained in his seat in the Assembly and on the Newark
City Council (where he served for 31 continuous years) until his death.
He was the Assembly's Speaker Pro Tempore from 2002 until his death. Assemblyman Tucker served on the Assembly's Commerce and Economic Development Committee (as Chair) and on the Joint Committee on the Public Schools.
Tucker served as a Councilman-at-Large in Newark and served on the Newark City Council from 1974 and on the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission from 1985. He served in the United States Air Force
from 1955-1959 as an Airman
Second Class.
Tucker was a member of the Essex County
chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality
and was involved in efforts to desegregate Newark's public housing projects. He founded a tenants council and served as chairman of the New Jersey Black Issues Convention.
Donald Kofi Tucker received a B.A.
degree from Goddard College
in Urban Planning.
and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly
. The other representatives from the 28th District for the 2004-2005 Legislative Session were:
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
from 1994, serving the 28th legislative district until his death. Despite his failing health — he suffered from diabetes, survived a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
, and had a pacemaker
Artificial pacemaker
A pacemaker is a medical device that uses electrical impulses, delivered by electrodes contacting the heart muscles, to regulate the beating of the heart...
implanted — he remained in his seat in the Assembly and on the Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
City Council (where he served for 31 continuous years) until his death.
He was the Assembly's Speaker Pro Tempore from 2002 until his death. Assemblyman Tucker served on the Assembly's Commerce and Economic Development Committee (as Chair) and on the Joint Committee on the Public Schools.
Tucker served as a Councilman-at-Large in Newark and served on the Newark City Council from 1974 and on the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission from 1985. He served in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
from 1955-1959 as an Airman
Airman
An airman is a member of the air component of a nation's armed service. In the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force , it can also refer to a specific enlisted rank...
Second Class.
Tucker was a member of the Essex County
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...
chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality
Congress of Racial Equality
The Congress of Racial Equality or CORE was a U.S. civil rights organization that originally played a pivotal role for African-Americans in the Civil Rights Movement...
and was involved in efforts to desegregate Newark's public housing projects. He founded a tenants council and served as chairman of the New Jersey Black Issues Convention.
Donald Kofi Tucker received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from Goddard College
Goddard College
Goddard College is a private, liberal arts college located in Plainfield, Vermont, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Goddard College currently operates on an intensive low-residency model...
in Urban Planning.
District 28
Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey SenateNew Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
. The other representatives from the 28th District for the 2004-2005 Legislative Session were:
- Assemblyman Craig A. StanleyCraig A. StanleyCraig A. Stanley is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1996-2008, where represented the 28th legislative district. He was succeeded by Ralph R...
, and - Senator Ronald RiceRonald RiceRonald L. Rice is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 1986, where he represents the 28th Legislative District...