State of New Jersey
Executive Order #62

Governor James E. McGreevey

WHEREAS, the Cuban people have demonstrated a longing for freedom and democracy by expressing increasing and visible opposition to the communist regime in Cuba; and

WHEREAS, in light of this nation's commitment to the establishment of representative democracies and democratic institutions throughout the world, the Cuban-American community in New Jersey looks forward to the time when similar democratic reform may occur in Cuba; and

WHEREAS, the Cuban-American community in New Jersey awaits the day when the Cuban people are liberated from communist dictatorship, and the Cuban people are free to form a government that is democratic, respects human rights and provides due process of law to its citizens; and

WHEREAS, a liberated Cuba will enable the Cuban people to engage in economic, social, cultural and educational exchanges with the people of the United States, including the people of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, a free and open exchange of ideas, people and goods will benefit the people of Cuba as well as the people of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey contains the second largest population of people of Cuban descent in the United States and should, therefore, study the immigration process and its possible impact on New Jersey and its population and develop appropriate procedures to respond to a potential influx of immigrants; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order Nos. 24 (Whitman) and 89 (Florio) directed the then-Department of Commerce and Economic Development to conduct a study to determine the likely social, economic and cultural consequences that would result from the liberation of the people of Cuba; and

WHEREAS, the liberation of the people of Cuba is becoming increasingly more imminent; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order Nos. 24 (Whitman) and 89 (Florio) should be reconstituted in recognition of the current situation in Cuba;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

  1. Executive Order No. 24 (Whitman) is hereby superseded by this Order.

  2. There is hereby established the Free Cuba Task Force ("Task Force"), within the Commerce and Economic Growth Commission.

  3. The Task Force shall consist of nineteen members appointed by the Governor, including the Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Commerce and Economic Growth Commission. The Governor shall select the chair of the Task Force.

  4. The Task Force shall conduct a study to determine the likely social, economic and cultural consequences that would result from the liberation of the people of Cuba. Specifically, the Task Force shall plan a strategy that will enable the State of New Jersey and the people of Cuba to take full advantage of democratic reform in Cuba. The report shall delineate appropriate steps to be taken with respect to immigration issues which may impact on New Jersey as a result of these developments.

  5. The Task Force shall coordinate its efforts with the Commerce and Economic Growth Commission and all State departments having relevant expertise or knowledge of such issues.

  6. The Task Force may request assistance from any department, division, office or agency of the State. Any department, division, office or agency of the State is hereby required to cooperate with the Task Force and furnish it with information and personnel assistance to the extent necessary to achieve goals of this Order.

  7. The Task Force shall report its findings within six months of the date of this Order and every six months thereafter.

  8. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 18th day of June
in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Seventh.

/s/ James E. McGreevey

Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Michael R. DeCotiis

Chief Counsel to the Governor