Whitney Houston was honored on December 14th with renaming the Vauxhall Service Area on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey. The area was redesigned, and visitors are greeted by a massive image of Houston, her biography, and the platinum record she earned for “I Will Always Love You.” The interactive exhibit has her achievements, quotes, and images presented on the Selfie Monitor, where fans can take photos next to Houston. Visitors can also explore the profiles of other New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees.
“This is another step in our ongoing mission to uphold outstanding New Jerseyans as we educate and inspire future generations to live their lives on purpose and realize their highest sense of self and for the greater good,” said Steve Edwards, President of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. “Through our exhibitions at service areas and transit terminals, our mobile museum, our school curriculum programs, and our upcoming Entertainment and Learning Center at American Dream this spring, we will tell the story of New Jersey heroes like Whitney Houston and the obstacles they overcame to be their best.”
State Senator Patrick J. Diegnan led the effort to rename the parkway service areas after New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees and State Senator Joseph P. Cryan attended the event. Newark Council Member-At-Large Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree introduced Pat Houston, representing the Estate of Whitney E. Houston.
“Whitney was the true definition of a Jersey girl,” said Pat Houston. “She loved New Jersey and her hometown. She was born, bred, and educated here. Whitney has traveled to six of the seven continents, and no matter where she visited, she always looked forward to returning home to Jersey. And with more than 400 awards and honors to her credits, I know she would be most proud of the Whitney E. Houston Garden Parkway Service area renamed in her honor.”
