Whitney Houston Service Area opens on Garden State Parkway in Union

Whitney Houston was “the true definition of a Jersey girl,” her estate says, so there's perhaps no more on-the-nose honor for the megastar singer than the now-opened Garden State Parkway service station named in her honor.

“She loved New Jersey and her hometown. She was born, bred, and educated here," said Pat Houston, executor of the Estate of Whitney E. Houston, which was established in 2012 after the international star's death. Pat Houston was Whitney Houston's sister-in-law and manager.

"Whitney has traveled to six of the seven continents, and no matter where she visited, she always looked forward to returning home to Jersey," Pat Houston said. "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.”

On Dec. 14, public officials, representatives of the New Jersey Hall of Fame and members of Houston's estate joined to unveil exhibits and other initiatives at the service area, formerly the Vauxhall Service Area, located in Union.

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"At the newly redesigned service area, guests are now greeted by a captivating and towering image of Whitney Houston, accompanied by a biography and a display of the platinum record she earned for her timeless song, 'I Will Always Love You,'" organizers said.

The exhibit showcases her achievements, as well as quotes and images on an interactive "Selfie Monitor" that allows visitors to pose for a photo alongside Houston and explore 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, in a news release. “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.”

Public officials in attendance included State Sen. Joseph P. Cryan, the local state representative and original sponsor for the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and State Sen. Patrick J. Diegnan, who led the effort to rename parkway service areas after New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees, as well as Newark Council Member-At-Large Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree, who introduced Pat Houston.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: New Jersey Hall of Fame helps unveil Whitney Houston Service Center