The South Jersey Cultural Alliance honored Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo, R-N.J., and Assemblyman Joseph D. Roberts, D- Camden, Tuesday evening at the Paul Aiken Encore Awards. Joining in the applause were Gov. James E. McGreevey and members of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

McGreevey praised LoBiondo's "diligence, integrity and heartfelt advocacy" and called Roberts "an aggressive advocate for the residents of South Jersey."

McGreevey stirred a storm of applause when he underlined " the importance of South Jersey receiving its proportional and equitable share of funding" from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. About 470 people attended the event, sponsored by the South Jersey Cultural Alliance.

"Congressman LoBiondo and Assemblyman Roberts have been steadfast friends of funding of the arts, as well as effective and dedicated advocates on behalf of South Jersey, throughout their careers," said Alan Willoughby, president of the South Jersey Cultural Alliance.

LoBiondo and Roberts shared the Standing Ovation Award, the SJCA's highest recognition. Previous recipients include former Gov. Christie Whitman and the Courier-Post.

During Tuesday's event, 32 South Jersey cultural groups also gave out Encore Awards to individuals and businesses for outstanding contributions.

"The arts depend on a lot of support on different levels," noted Mark Fields, executive director of the Glassboro Center for the Arts and co-chair of the Encore Awards.

Among the honorees were Charles Heuisler (Haddonfield Symphony), Joan Gaasch, Louis R. Matlack, Sally Harral and Frank J. Keenan (Perkins Center for the Arts), Delaware River Port Authority (Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts), Liz Bledsoe (Puttin' on the Ritz Inc.), Target Stores ( Glassboro Center for the Arts) and state Sen. John J. Matheussen, R-Gloucester, (Mainstage Center for the Arts).

The ceremony featured performances by the Rankokus Eagle Dancers from the Powhatan Renape Nation, the Garden State Philharmonic Choral Ensemble from Toms River, and saxophonist David Stambler of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony.