State of New Jersey
Executive Order #31

Governor James J. Florio

WHEREAS, the Polish Constitution was the first European constitution providing for freedom of citizenry and is patterned after the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, it is desirous and beneficial to educate ourselves and our children regarding Poland's struggle for freedom and autonomy from its foreign aggressors which culminated in the drafting of the Polish Constitution; and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive study of the Polish Constitution is necessary to ensure that the historical significance of the Polish Constitution is understood and appreciated; and

WHEREAS, May 3, 1991, marks the official day of celebration of the Bicentennial of the Polish Constitution.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM FLORIO, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. There is hereby created a Governor's Study Group on the Bicentennial of the Polish Constitution.

2. The Study Group shall consist of no more than thirty members. The members of the Study Group shall include the Secretary of State or her designee; the Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs within the Department of State or his designee; and, twenty-eight public members to to be appointed by the Governor. The public members to be appointed shall consist of representatives of the Polish leadership groups throughout the State as well as eminent historians and educators who s have distinguished records of knowledge concerning the history of Poland and the Polish Constitution. The public members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The members of the Study Group shall serve without compensation.

3. The Governor shall designate a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the public members of the Study Group.

4. Study Group vacancies shall be filled by the Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.

5. It shall be the duty of the Governor's Study Group on the Bicentennial of the Polish Constitution to conduct a thorough study of the Polish Constitution and to promote its historical significance.

6. The Study Group shall receive administrative staff support from the Office of the Secretary of State but shall not obligate any funds of that Office or of any other department, office, division or agency of the State.

7. The Study Group shall issue a report of its findings to the Governor on or before May 3, 1992, accompanying the report with any recommendations it deems appropriate. The Study Group may issue interim reports concerning its study as it shall determine.

8. This Order shall take effect immediately and shall terminate on May 4, 1992.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
6th day of May in the Year of Our Lord,
one thousand nine hundred and ninety-one,
and of the Independence of the United States,
the two hundred and fifteenth.

/s/ James J. Florio
GOVERNOR

Attest:

/s/
Andrew Weber
Chief Counsel to the Governor