WHEREAS, on January 16, 1991, the President of the United States launched a military attack against Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the President had previously authorized the Secretary of Defense to call up select members of the Reserve and National Guard to active duty, and authorized the Secretary of Transportation to call up members of the Coast Guard Reserve, during the Middle East crisis; and

WHEREAS, Reserve and National Guard members who are activated during this crisis serve a vital national interest for which they deserve the full support of the citizens of this State; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey recognizes that a strong, ready Reserve and National Guard are essential to the defense of this country and vital to this State in a time of emergency such as exists now; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey recognizes the personal and economic sacrifices of its employees serving in the Reserve and the National Guard who are called to active duty during the Middle East crisis, and recognizes the sacrifices of their families;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM FLORIO, 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. New Jersey State employees who are called to active duty during the Middle East crisis shall be entitled upon termination of active duty to return to State employment with full seniority and benefits consistent with State and federal military reemployment and seniority rights.

2. During active duty for the duration of their activation in the Middle East crisis, these State employees shall be entitled to receive a salary equal to the differential between the employee's State salary and the employee's military pay.

3. These State employees shall be entitled to State employee health benefits, life insurance and pension coverage during active duty service for which they receive differential salary as prescribed in this Order as if they were on paid leave of absence.

4. The Commissioner of Personnel shall implement this Executive Order and each department, office, division or agency of the State is authorized and directed, to the extent not inconsistent with law, to cooperate with the Commissioner of Personnel and to make available to him such information, personnel and assistance as necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.

5. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal
this 18th day of January 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