The Morris County Prosecutor's Office will honor several distinguished African-American government, law enforcement and community leaders Monday, Feb. 9, when the prosecutor's office holds its second annual Black History Month celebration.

The prosecutor's office has partnered with the National Organization for Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) to put on the event. "This is a significant event. NOBLE is a distinguished organization and it is an honor for us to partner with them and recognize the achievements of these dignitaries," said Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq.

With 47 chapters and about 3,000 members in the United States, NOBLE was founded in 1976 in Washington D.C. during a three-day symposium to address crime in urban low-income areas.

Bianchi is no stranger to promoting the causes of minorities. After he was in private practice in 1996, he later founded and served as president of the Association of Civil Rights Attorneys of New Jersey. That move grew out of an outrage by the violation of a minority client's civil rights. A six-year legal battle followed, gaining him attention as a talented and aggressive civil rights litigator. He went on to represent many African-American and Hispanic citizens and police officers who were subjected to civil rights violations, illegal employment practices and discrimination.

Since taking office in June 2007, one of the prosecutor's top priorities has been to improve relationships with the faith-based leaders and their communities, including the African-American churches. That prompted him to create the first community affairs unit in the history of the prosecutor's office.

The Feb. 9 event will be held at the Morris County Administration and Records Building, on the 5th Floor, 10 Court St., Morristown, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The honorees include Senior Deputy New Jersey Attorney General Hester Agudosi and Jiles Ship, president of the northern New Jersey chapter of the National Organization for Black Law Enforcement Executives.

William Primus, chief executive officer of the Morris County Urban League, and Della Crews, a news anchor for News 12 NJ, also are in line to be honored that night. The keynote speaker will be Matthew W. Horace, special agent in charge for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Detective Keisha Higgs with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office is the first Morris County law enforcement officer to serve on NOBLE's executive board. The people being recognized deserve the spotlight, she said, noting, "It is important to salute the achievements of African Americans in our community and I am proud to be a part of this important event."

To view the invitation to this event, please click on the link below.
2009 Black History Month Invitation (.pdf)

(This story was filed Feb. 1, 2009. Media agent Bill Swayze can be reached at 973-285-6200.)