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The Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University will honor State Sen. President Stephen Sweeney, U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes and Michele N. Siekerka, president of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association

(File photos)

LAWRENCE - State Sen. President Stephen Sweeney and newly elected U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur will be among those honored at a gala Friday hosted by the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University.

Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes and Michele N. Siekerka, president of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, are also among those receiving awards.

Sweeney (D-Gloucester), who has served in the state senate since 2002, will receive the Rebovich Legislative Award for his commitment to working families, individuals with special needs and higher education, a Rider officials said in a news release.

MacArthur (R-3rd Dist.) will receive the Rebovich Citizenship Award in recognition of his past accomplishments as a successful businessman in the insurance industry, mayor and councilman of Randolph Township and the work of the charitable foundation that he and his wife founded.

Hughes, who was re-elected for a third term in November 2011, will receive the Rebovich Leadership Award. During his tenure, he has built a record in fiscal management, social services delivery, open space preservation and economic growth, according to Rider.

Siekerka, who was named NJBIA's president in September, will receive the Rebovich Corporate Neighbor Award. She previously served as deputy commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, president and CEO of the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce and on then-Washington Township's school board and other community organizations.

Proceeds from the gala support scholarships for students in unpaid political internships and civic programming at Rider University.

"The gala doesn't just raise money for projects," said Ben Dworkin, assistant professor of political science and director of the Rebovich Institute. "It allows us to keep a promise we made to uphold the legacy of Dr. David Rebovich by raising the level of political discourse and training the next generation of political leadership."

Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.