State of New Jersey
Executive Order #116

Governor Christine Todd Whitman

WHEREAS, the American Revolution, inspired by the spirit of liberty and independence, was an event of global significance with a profound and lasting effect upon our Nation and all of the states that now comprise the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the year 2000 marks the 225th Anniversary of the commencement of the American Revolution; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey played a crucial role in the American Revolution and was the site of many significant political events and military battles of the Revolution; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey played a prominent role in the development of colonial America as one of the 13 original colonies and in the subsequent history of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey should take steps immediately to celebrate the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution;

NOW THEREFORE, I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT;

1. There is hereby established a commission in, but not of, the Department of State to be known as The 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Celebration Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Commission).

2. The Commission shall consist of twenty-three (23) members as follows:

a. The Secretary of State, the Adjutant General, the Commissioner of Education, the Chair of the Commission on Higher Education, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Chair of the New Jersey Historical Commission, the Chair of the New Jersey Historic Trust, the Chair of the New Jersey Council on the Arts, and the President of the New Jersey Historical Society, or their designees;

b. Four (4) members of the Legislature shall be appointed as follows: two (2) members, one from each political party, shall be appointed by the President of the Senate to serve during the two-year legislative term in which the appointment is made; and two (2) members, one from each political party, shall be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly to serve during the two-year legislative term in which the appointment is made.

c. Nine (9) public members to be appointed by the Governor.

d. The term of office of each public member shall be four years, except for the initial appointments which shall be made as follows: three members shall be appointed for a two-year term, three members shall be appointed for a three-year term, and three members shall be appointed for a four-year term. The Governor, for cause, upon notice and opportunity to be heard, may remove a public member. A vacancy occurring among any of the public members, other than by expiration of term, shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term only and in the same manner as the original appointment. A member may serve until a successor is appointed and has qualified.

e. The public members of the Commission shall serve without compensation but shall, subject to State appropriation, be entitled to reimbursement for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

3. The Commission shall be chaired by the Secretary of State and a vice-chair shall be elected by the Commission from among its members. A secretary shall also be elected by the Commission who need not be a member of the Commission.

4. The Commission shall organize and meet as soon as practicable after the appointment of a majority of its members.

5. The Commission shall:

a. Plan, promote and coordinate the commemorative programs and activities sponsored and supported by agencies of the State government in honor of the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution from 2001 through 2008;

b. Assist with the coordination of the commemorative programs and activities developed and to be developed by counties, municipalities, and civic, veteran, historical, and other organizations in the State from 2001 through 2008;

c. Consult and cooperate with the New Jersey Historical Commission in the development of the historical aspects of the commemorative programs and activities;

d. Plan a fitting observance on September 3, 2008 to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the American Revolutionary War;

e. Cooperate with other commissions and entities established to commemorate the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution to coordinate activities in the State of New Jersey.

f. Formulate and recommend any legislation the Commission determines essential to the furtherance of the celebration of the American Revolution in New Jersey.

6. The Commission shall establish a regular schedule of meetings, schedule hearings to solicit and receive recommendations for its programs and activities, and report periodically to the Governor on its activities and recommendations. An initial report to the Governor shall be made within one (1) year of the organization of the Commission and on each January 1st thereafter until a final report shall be made on December 31st, 2008.

7. The Commission is authorized to call upon any department, office or agency of State government to provide such information, resources or other assistance deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities under this Order. Each department, officer, division and agency of this State is hereby required to cooperate with the Commission and to furnish it with such information, personnel and assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.

8. The Commission may accept donations or grants of money, property or personal services from any source and may distribute appropriations made by law.

9. This Order shall take effect immediately and expire on December 31, 2008.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal
this 3rd day of July in the Year of
Our Lord, Two Thousand, and of
the Independence of the United
States, Two Hundred Twenty-Four.

/s/ Christine Todd Whitman Governor

[seal]

Attest:
/s/ Robert E. Fabricant
Chief Counsel to the Governor