Governor Christie Eulogizes DeCroce, as 'Friend, Colleague, and Mentor'

A visibly moved Christie postpones State of the State to deliver eulogy

Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, the longtime GOP leader in the Assembly, died Monday night at 11:30 p.m. -- in the closing hours of the lame duck legislative session. DeCroce represented Morris County.

DeCroce was 75.

Gov. Chris Christie, in a statement on his website, characterized DeCroce as "a dear friend, colleague, and mentor."

Christie postponed today's State of the State to eulogize the man, "who was loved by his constituents enough that he was reelected 11 times."

"As you know," a visibly moved Christie said, "I had intended to come before you today to report on the State of the State, and I will fill that commitment. But today our hearts are filled with sadness."

View a streaming video of Christie's eulogy.