Gov. Christie's Keynote at the Congressional Dinner is Broadcast Live to a National Audience on C-SPAN
The 77th Annual Walk to Washington and Congressional Dinner on April 22 and 23, 2014 brought to Washington a who's who of New Jersey business and government leaders, all of whom participated in what NJBIZ newspaper has called "a massive mobile networking event" and The Star-Ledger called "a longstanding Jersey tradition."
The festivities began as the Chamber's chartered Amtrak rolled through New Jersey, picking up hundreds of guests along the way. The trip - the first ever springtime Walk to Washington - hit a crescendo when the train reached the nation's capital and guests gathered at the Marriott Wardman Park for the Congressional Dinner and a keynote address by Gov. Chris Christie.
We meet every year at the New Jersey Chamber dinner "to renew relationships; to hear from the business leaders of our state; and to ensure that we stay in touch with each other because New Jersey's future is dependent in large measure by the people in this room and those you employ," Christie said in his speech.
Broadcast Live on C-SPAN
The governor used the address - broadcast live to a national audience on C-SPAN - to call for further legislative changes to the state's public workers' health insurance and pension benefits, and to re-adopt a 2 percent cap on raises to police officers and firefighters who take their contracts to arbitration.
He said such reform will improve the state's long-term budget outlook and rein in property tax increases.
"This is not about politics for me because I'm never running in this state again," Christie said. "I'm done. This is about the next (governor), whoever he or she is, and what we are going to leave them to deal with."
Christie is widely expected to pursue the Republican nomination for president, and many of the 30-plus members of the media covering the Congressional Dinner reported that Christie's remarks had the sound of a presidential stump speech.
The leaders of the state have an "opportunity to make New Jersey both actually and symbolically an example of civic mindedness, self-sacrifice ... an example for our entire county," Christie said.
"The alternative is a weaker America, and that is unthinkable," the governor continued. "Let us resolve together to confront these problems with honesty and integrity and with the spirit of togetherness. And if we do that, I believe in my heart that the citizens of our state will reward us with economic growth, opportunity, freedom and prosperity like we've never have seen before. Together, we can do this."
The N.J. Chamber's 13-Car Chartered Train
The Walk to Washington's networking began April 22 with the four-hour ride to the nation's capital on the N.J. Chamber's chartered train. On board were CEOs, small business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and legislators who walked the aisles chatting and exchanging business cards. Also riding the train was former Gov. Brendan Byrne who was on his 51st Walk to Washington. U.S. Reps. Chris Smith and Rush Holt also spoke at the dinner.
During the dinner, the N.J. Chamber presented its first-ever Business Leadership Award to Al Koeppe for his accomplishments and service to New Jersey. Koeppe served governors on both sides of the aisle, and he served as president and COO of PSE&G and CEO of Bell Atlantic-New Jersey. He is the former head of the Newark Alliance, a nonprofit organization designed to better the economy of New Jersey's largest city.
The event capped off the following morning with an insightful reporters' roundtable in D.C. before guests re-boarded the train for a smooth ride back to New Jersey.
A special thank you to JCP&L, Walk to Washington's premier sponsor.
For photos from the event, click on an image below:
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Photos by Russ DeSantis Photography & Video.
Everybody is talking about the Walk to Washington:
NJ train ride to D.C. capped by Christie's speech on public-worker benefits (The Star-Ledger)
'Walk to Washington' train filled with NJ politicians departs this morning (The Star-Ledger)
NJ politicians, business leaders set off on train to D.C. for dinner, Christie speech (NJ.com)
Chris Christie says NJ needs to curb public worker benefits during speech in Washington (NJ.com)
Annual NJ train ride to D.C. capped by Christie's speech on public-worker benefits (NJ.com)
Gov. Christie gives business, political leaders pep talk at Washington dinner (The AP)
Christie issues tough talk, warns of economic disaster (CNN)
Christie touts 'bipartisan victories' in keynote speech (MSNBC)
Christie Hones His 2016 Stump Speech at a Chamber of Commerce Event (The Nation)
Christie: Shore Up New Jersey's Finances (The Wall Street Journal)
Christie continues pitch for pension reform (Philadelphia Inquirer)
N.J. elite 'walk' to Washington, Christie to meet them there (The Washington Post)
Christie urges business leaders to support pension reform, arbitration caps (The Bergen Record)
NJ leaders' Washington trip has new date (The Bergen Record)
In speech to business community, Christie says N.J. economy better now than 4 years ago (NJBIZ)
N.J. Chamber 'Walk to Washington' begins Tuesday (NJBIZ)
GRAPEVINE: Bridgegate a no-show at Walk to Washington (NJBIZ)
Christie says state pension cuts are unavoidable (Asbury Park Press)
Christie Warns of Crisis - Economic, Not Political (NJ Spotlight)
Politicians, Business People Participate in Walk to Washington (NJTV)
Christie Gives Keynote at NJ Chamber Event (NJTV)
Governor Chris Christie on Second Term Priorities (C-SPAN)
NJ Chamber's Annual Walk to Washington Today (PolitickerNJ)
Declaring 'we are now at a crossroads,' Christie implores officials to work together (PolitickerNJ)