State
of New Jersey
Executive
Order #50
Governor James
E. McGreevey
WHEREAS, the President
of the United States has authorized the Secretary of Defense to call up
select members of the Reserve and National Guard to active duty in response
to the continuing Global War on Terrorism, potential armed conflict with
Iraq, and heightened tensions with North Korea;
WHEREAS, the President
of the United States has also authorized the Secretary of Homeland Security
to similarly call up members of the Coast Guard Reserve;
WHEREAS, Reserve
and National Guard members who are activated during this crisis situation
serve a vital national interest for which they deserve the full support
of the citizens of this State;
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
time of emergency or natural disaster;
WHEREAS, the State
of New Jersey encourages its employees to serve in the Reserve and National
Guard and recognizes the personal and economic sacrifices of its employees
who are called to active duty during the Middle East crisis;
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:
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New Jersey State
employees who are called to active duty in response to the continuing
Global War on Terrorism, potential armed conflict with Iraq, and heightened
tensions with North Korea 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.
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During active
duty for the duration of their activation, 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 base pay,
following the exhaustion of statutory entitlements to full pay.
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These State
employees shall be entitled to State employees 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.
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If a State employee's
military base pay is greater than his or her State salary, such that
he or she would not receive differential pay under paragraph 2 of
this Order, that State employee shall, nonetheless, be entitled to
State employee health benefits, life insurance and pension coverage
during active duty service, with the State employee's contributory
portion of those benefits and programs to be paid by the employee
upon his or her return to State employment, after completion of active
duty.
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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 her such information, personnel
and assistance as necessary to accomplish the purposes of this of
this Order.
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This Order shall
take effect immediately.
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Given, under
my hand and seal this 27th day of February 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]
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Attest:
/s/ Paul P. Josephson
Chief Counsel to
the Governor
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