Glenn D. Cunningham, the first black mayor of Jersey City, N.J., died on May 25 of a heart attack. He was 60.
Cunningham enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps right out of high school. He left the military four years later as a corporal, and joined the Jersey City Police Department. For the next quarter century, Cunningham worked his way up the law enforcement ranks from beat cop to captain, and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Jersey City State College.
After retiring from the police department in 1991, Cunningham accepted the post of Hudson County Director of Public Safety. In 1996, President Bill Clinton nominated him for the position of U.S. Marshal for the State of New Jersey. Once confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, he became the first African-American to hold the post.
A registered Democrat, Cunningham won the Jersey City mayoral race in 2001. Once he became the first black mayor of the city, he set his sights on a higher political office. In 2003, the determined politician won a state Senate seat.
When he wasn’t participating in the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee or teaching criminal justice classes at Jersey City State College, Cunningham was a passionate history buff. At the time of his death, he was writing a book on local African-American history.
May 27, 2004 by
Glenn Cunningham
Categories: Government, Law, Military, Politicians
To the family of our beloved Mayor Glenn Cunningham you have my deepest heart felt sorrow. May God be with you for strength and comfort.
On behalf of the students in my class at the Hudson County School of Technology. We express our sympathy and Prayers to Mrs. Cunningham and Family.
Lavon Powell
Teacher Ms. Peterson.
Mrs. Cunningham
Your loss is our loss. our Prayers are with you.
Raven, stundent at the H.C.S.Technoogy
Mrs.Cunningham
we appreciated the love and courage of your dedicated husband mayor Cunningham to our City of Jersey City .
love Sade Middleton
student at County prep H.S.
Mrs.Cunningham we’re truly sorry for the loss of your husband and our loving and dedicated
mayor cunningham. we’re going to miss him. Our Prayers are with you, and so are we. Your husband loved and respected all the people of J.C. We hope and Pray you Stay strong for the people of jersey City.
Rashawn kelly
Joe wix
students of Ms.Peterson at County Prep H.S J.C.N.J
Mrs.Cunningham
sorry even though i dont follow politics I know that your husband our mayor was a great person and did alot for our city.