WHEREAS, the terrible
events of September 11, 2002 have had a profound impact on the lives of
all Americans; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey
was particularly affected by the attacks, with many residents suffering
the loss of family members, loved ones, friends and neighbors; and
WHEREAS, at least
691 New Jersey residents were killed on September 11, 2001, a number that
represents more than one-quarter of the total number of victims lost in
these attacks; and
WHEREAS, the victims,
who came from all walks of life, and possessed a myriad of talents, abilities
and virtues, contributed to their communities and our State in countless
ways, and we feel their loss deeply; and
WHEREAS, these fallen
heroes deserve to be honored with a permanent memorial in their home State;
and
WHEREAS, it is wholly
appropriate that the wishes, thoughts and preferences of family members,
loved ones, and survivors, be considered and incorporated in the design,
planning and construction of a New Jersey September 11th memorial (Memorial)
to the victims; and
WHEREAS, the "memorial
walls," which include tributes to the victims composed by family members
and loved ones at the New Jersey Family Assistance Center in Liberty State
Park, are moving remembrances to those lost New Jersey residents that
many family members wish to have preserved in a permanent display; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate
that the funds necessary to design, construct and maintain the aforementioned
Memorial and the memorial walls should be identified, marshaled and maintained
by a not-for-profit entity, and should include any available private and
public funds or grants; and
WHEREAS, the New
Jersey Family Advocate Management Corporation, a not-for-profit organization,
which has been involved with September 11th issues in this State, and
been instrumental in providing relief to New Jersey victims and victim
family members, is an appropriate vehicle to develop and maintain this
fund;
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 that:
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There is hereby
established a Family and Survivor Memorial Committee, who shall be
selected from adult family member volunteers and other interested
parties who lost loved ones or survived the September 11, 2001 attacks.
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The work of the
Committee shall be organized and coordinated by an Administrative
Director, to be designated by the Office of Recovery and Victim Assistance.
The Administrative Director shall, with the guidance of the Commission
and the Office of Recovery and Victim Assistance, select the committee
members. The Committee may elect by a majority vote a chairperson,
recording secretary and any other officers it sees fit to lead the
committee, subject to the Administrative Director's organization and
coordination responsibilities.
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The Committee
shall review and develop suggestions, plans and designs, for a suitable
Memorial and for the preservation of the memorial walls.
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The Committee
shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Memorial Commission
established by Executive Order 134 (2001), which shall incorporate
these findings into their report, as well as to the Office of Recovery
and Victim Assistance, and the Governor's Office.
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The Committee
is hereby authorized to call on the Commission and the Family Advocate
Management Corporation for assistance and resources, and with the
approval of the Commission or the Administrative Director, to seek
the assistance of any agency of State government or public or private
entity to provide resources, information or other assistance or services
deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities under this Order.
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The duties of
the Office of Recovery and Victim Assistance shall be expanded to
include the following:
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a. To cooperate
and coordinate with private and public agencies, as well as with
the Family Advocate Management Corporation, or other not-for-profit
corporations, and to enter into agreements with these entities
to further the purposes this Executive Order, and especially,
to further the creation of an appropriate New Jersey September
11th Memorial and the preservation of the memorial walls; and
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b. To coordinate
and provide assistance in the development and management of a
charitable fund within the Family Advocate Management Corporation,
which fund shall be developed to provide the costs necessary to
create the Memorial, and to preserve the memorial walls, including
but not limited to costs for the solicitation, marshaling and
accounting of private and public funds, costs for administrative
and other services necessary for the selection, design, construction
and maintenance of permanent memorial and the preservation and
maintenance of the memorial walls.
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This Order shall
take effect immediately and to the extent it is inconsistent with
the Executive Order 134 (2001) that order is hereby rescinded.
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Given, under
my hand and seal this 28th day of August in the Year of our Lord,
Two
Thousand and Two, and of the
Independence of the United
States, the Two Hundred and
Twenty-Seventh.
/s/ James
E. McGreevey
Governor
[seal]
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Attest:
/s/ Paul A. Levinsohn
Chief Counsel to the Governor