WHEREAS, the President of the United States issued an Executive Order on August 22, 1990 authorizing the call to active duty with the Armed Forces and Coast Guard of the United States of America selected New Jersey resident members of the Reserves or the National Guard in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm;

WHEREAS, Executive Order Number 15 was signed into effect on September 13, 1990 directing that New Jersey State employees called to active duty during Operation Desert Shield would be entitled upon termination of such active duty to return to State employment with full seniority and benefits; would be entitled to receive a salary equal to the differential between the employee's State salary and the employee's military pay up to 180 days; and would be entitled to State employee health benefits, life insurance and pension coverage while receiving differential salary as if they were on a paid leave of absence; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order Number 25 was signed in effect on January 18, 1991 commensurate with the conversion of Operation Desert Shield to Desert Storm extending the provisions of Executive Order 15 to the duration of individual mobilization and deployment on active duty; and

WHEREAS, Emergency Rule N.J.A.C. 18:34-1.25 was adopted on January 31, 1991 certifying that an Imminent Peril exists extending the time for filing individual and joint income tax returns and the payment of gross income tax for a period of combat service or hospitalization, plus 180 days without fine or penalty for mobilized New Jersey residents; and

WHEREAS, on February 9, 1991 the citizens of New Jersey reached out to their fellow citizens, families and neighbors called to duty in an expression of support and concern in an Interfaith Service held at the Trenton War Memorial; and

WHEREAS, these resident Reserve and National Guard members served their State and Nation with distinction without regard to personal and family hardship and sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey acknowledges the contributions to the peace and freedoms enjoyed by all of its citizens made by these dedicated and loyal citizen-soldiers, -marines, -sailors, -airmen, and -coast guardsmen; and

WHEREAS, it is realized that many of the State's resident Mobilized Reserve and National Guard members and their families will suffer short and long term emotional, financial and physical hardships due to their service during Operation Desert Shield/Storm; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting and proper that the State recognize the sacrifices made by its resident Reserve and National Guard members and the debt owed to them; and

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs through its military and veteran activities has been coordinating, overseeing and assisting in the mobilization of National Guard units, as well as in programs to aid mobilized and deployed State residents and their families regardless of component and service; and

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs has an existing organization of Family Assistance Groups and coordinators as well as Veterans' Services Officers and Veterans' Programs which now are assisting mobilized residents and their families and are prepared to continue to do so upon their demobilization and return to civilian life;

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. Any New Jersey resident mobilized into Active Duty with the Armed Forces or Coast Guard of the United States by order of the President for Operation Desert Shield/Storm will be considered eligible for those Veterans' Entitlements for which they are in all other aspects qualified.

2. The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs is charged with the responsibility for the coordination of the provision of such entitlements and services offered by the State in support of its Mobilized Residents and their families.

3. The Adjutant General of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs will develop and establish the criteria for a New Jersey Operation Desert/Shield/Storm Service Medal in order to appropriately recognize the sacrifices of New Jersey's resident Reserve and National Guard members and their service to State and Nation.

4. All New Jersey Veterans' organizations and employers are encouraged to cooperate with the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs and with their local communities to ensure that the State's returning service members receive the reception and support that they and their families deserve.

5. The Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs shall also serve as the coordinating agency for all inquiries made by Military personnel, their families and the general public concerning available support services and entitlements.

6. Each city, municipality and county of the State is encouraged to render by ceremony a fitting tribute to the services of their respective citizens who were called to duty during Operation Desert Shield/Storm as they deem appropriate.

7. The Adjutant General of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs 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 Adjutant General and to make available to him such information and assistance as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.

8. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal
this 20th day of March 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