State of New Jersey
Executive Order #89

Governor James J. Florio

Superseded by Executive Order #24 Whitman

WHEREAS, the Cuban people have demonstrated a great longing for freedom and democracy, and have expressed increasing opposition to the Castro regime; and

WHEREAS, the Cuban people have recently risked their lives by organizing democratic activities on the island and by undertaking dangerous and courageous flights for freedom to the United States and other countries; and

WHEREAS, in light of the recent upheavals in the former Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe, the Cuban-American community in New Jersey eagerly awaits the time when similar movements for democratic reform gather strength and momentum in Cuba; and

WHEREAS, the Cuban-American community in New Jersey ardently looks forward to the inevitable day when the Cuban people are forever liberated from communist dictatorship, and the Cuban people are free to form a government that is democratic, respects human rights, and honors the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, a liberated Cuba will enable the Cuban people to engage in social, cultural, and economic exchanges with the people of the United States, including the citizens of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, a free and open exchange of ideas, people, and goods will greatly benefit the people of Cuba as well as the people of the United States; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey should prepare to take full advantage of these inevitable developments in Cuba; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate and necessary to undertake a thorough review of the possible impact that these profound social and political changes will have on the State of New Jersey and its residents;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES J. 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. In light of the enormous potential for democratic change in Cuba, the New Jersey Department of Commerce and Economic Development shall conduct a study to determine the likely social, economic, and cultural consequences that would result from the liberation of the people of Cuba. In particular, the Department of Commerce shall prepare a plan setting forth a strategy that will enable the State of New Jersey to take full advantage of the social, cultural, and economic opportunities that would result from democratic reform in Cuba.

2. The Department of Commerce shall whenever necessary coordinate this effort with any and all other State departments having relevant expertise or knowledge of such issues.

3. The Department of Commerce shall report its findings to me no later than one year following the date of this Order.

4. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
15th day of April in the Year of Our
Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and
Ninety Three, and of the Independence
of the United States, the Two Hundred
and Seventeenth.

/s/ JAMES J. FLORIO
GOVERNOR

Attest:

/s/ M. Robert DeCotiis
Chief Counsel to the Governor