WHEREAS, Assemblyman Ronald A. Dario, a devoted family man, dedicated many years in public service to the people of the State of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dario was an educator who served the students and residents of Hoboken and Union City as a teacher, principal and coach; and

WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dario held public office as a member of the Union City Commission, where he served as Recreation and Public Properties Commissioner; and

WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dario was elected to the General Assembly in 1985 and was a respected member of that House; and

WHEREAS, Assemblyman Dario sponsored legislation authorizing the State to take over failing school districts and legislation that prevented the warehousing of empty apartments by landlords during a statewide wave of condominium conversions that saw tenants forced out of homes; and

WHEREAS, it is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Assemblyman Dario and extend our sincerest sympathy to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to honor the memory and the passing of Assemblyman Dario;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Thursday, July 8, 2004 in recognition and mourning of the passing of Assemblyman Dario.
   
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 8th day
of July in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
and Four, and of the Independence of the United
States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Ninth.

/s/ James E. McGreevey
Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Mark J. Fleming