CORZINE ANNOUNCES HODGSON WILL BE RETIRING 
Will Appoint Chen as Acting Child Advocate 

TRENTON -- Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that New Jersey's Child Advocate Dr. E. Susan Hodgson will be retiring from the position effective July 15, 2008. 

In a letter notifying the governor of her decision to retire from public service, Dr. Hodgson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to "serve the state on behalf of our children" and informed the governor of her decision to return to the private sector.

"Dr. Hodgson has been a tireless advocate for the children of New Jersey," said Governor Corzine. "Her dedication and tremendous service to the Office of the Child Advocate are a testament to her life-long commitment to children. I wish her the best as she continues forward with these future endeavors.

"A prominent pediatrician before becoming the state's Child Advocate, Dr. Hodgson has served in this capacity for the last twenty months.

Governor Corzine intends to appoint New Jersey Public Advocate Ronald Chen as Acting State Child Advocate upon Dr. Hodgson's effective retirement date July 15.

"The Child Advocate's Office has made significant strides in protecting the children of New Jersey," said Governor Corzine. "Ron Chen will help ensure that our state's vulnerable children have a seamless transition while we continue to strive to improve the already high standards established within the Office.

"Created in 2003, the Office of the Child Advocate investigates, reviews, monitors and evaluates State agency responses to allegations of child abuse or neglect in New Jersey, and makes recommendations for systemic and comprehensive reform.

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Photos from Governor Corzine's public events are available in the Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page.