Newly Conceived NJ Hall of Fame Inducts 15 of its Finest

Fifteen prominent New Jerseyans were inducted into the state's new Hall of Fame on Sunday night — even though the actual hall doesn't exist yet.

Bruce Springsteen, Yogi Berra, Toni Morrison and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf were among the many honorees on hand for the ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

The hall is one of many endeavors aimed at improving the reputation of the oft-maligned Garden State, which Springsteen referred to in his acceptance speech.

''Rise up, my fellow New Jerseyans. We are all members of a confused but noble race,'' the rocker said. ''Even with this wonderful Hall of Fame, we know there's another bad Jersey joke just around the corner.''

Others attending the red-carpet event included Gov. Jon S. Corzine, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Tina Sinatra, whose father — the late crooner Frank Sinatra — was among the inductees.

Two inductees, actress Meryl Streep and former U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley, were unable to attend. They have asked that the presentation of their awards be held until they can receive them in person.

The Hall of Fame exists only as a virtual entity now, but officials are raising money to build a permanent museum. The first class was chosen through an online vote after 25 finalists were announced in 2006.

All inductees must have lived in the state for at least five years, though organizers made an exception to that rule for Underground Railroad pioneer Harriet Tubman.