State of New Jersey
Executive Order #107

Governor James E. McGreevey

WHEREAS, over twelve thousand citizens from New Jersey lost their lives fighting for their country during World War II, and countless others were wounded in or endured the hardships of the conflict; and

WHEREAS, it is proper that the citizens of this State honor the men and women who made sacrifices from New Jersey while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States and in the American Merchant Marine during World War II; and

WHEREAS, a State memorial is a fitting tribute and acknowledgement of the courage and patriotism displayed by our men and women in the military; and

WHEREAS, the memorial will stand as a timeless reminder of the heroism, spirit, sacrifice, patriotism and commitment of those who defended this country and of the moral strength and power of a free people who are united in a common and just cause; and

WHEREAS, through the enactment of P.L. 1999, Joint Resolution No. 14, the Legislature created a prior Commission known as the World War II Veterans' Memorial Advisory Commission, to make recommendations regarding the location and design of a World War II Memorial, but such Commission expired prior to the completion of its task;

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 Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

  1. There is hereby established in, but not of, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs the World War II Memorial Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Commission).

  2. The Commission shall consist of up to twenty (20) members as follows:

    1. Two ex-officio representatives of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, including the Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, and one ex-officio representative from the Attorney General's Office, all of whom shall serve as non-voting members; and
    2. Up to seventeen (17) public members to be appointed by the Governor. In appointing the public members to the Commission, the Governor shall select representatives of recognized veterans groups.
    3. The Governor shall appoint the Chair, Vice- Chair and Honorary Chair from among the public members of the Commission, and shall appoint one of the ex-officio non-voting representatives to serve as Secretary of the Commission.
    4. The public members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
    5. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs shall provide a staff member to serve as a non-voting Recording Secretary for the Commission.

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

  4. Utilizing, wherever appropriate, the work done by the prior WWII Veterans' Memorial Advisory Commission, the Commission shall:

    1. Advise the Governor on a suitable memorial to the veterans of World War II.
    2. Discuss and make recommendations as to the location for a memorial, the process for selecting the style, type or design for the memorial, and the appropriate method for financing the construction and maintenance of the memorial.
    3. Formulate and recommend any legislation the Commission determines to be essential to the furtherance of the World War II Memorial.

  5. The Commission shall establish a regular schedule of meetings and report periodically to the Governor on its activities and recommendations. An initial report to the Governor shall be made within six months from the date of the first meeting.

  6. 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.

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

  8. This Order shall take effect immediately and expire thirty (30) days after the dedication of the World War II Memorial.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 4th day of
May in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and
Four, and of the Independence of the United States,
the Two Hundred and Twenty-Eighth.

/s/ James E. McGreevey
Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Michael R. DeCotiis
Chief Counsel to the Governor