State of New Jersey
Executive Order #29

Governor James E. McGreevey

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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. The Committee shall review and develop suggestions, plans and designs, for a suitable Memorial and for the preservation of the memorial walls.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. The duties of the Office of Recovery and Victim Assistance shall be expanded to include the following:

    1. 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

    2. 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.

  7. This Order shall take effect immediately and to the extent it is inconsistent with the Executive Order 134 (2001) that order is hereby rescinded.

 

 


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]

Attest:

/s/ Paul A. Levinsohn
Chief Counsel to the Governor