WHEREAS, the Cuban people have demonstrated a longing for freedom and
democracy by expressing increasing and visible opposition to the communist
regime in Cuba; and
WHEREAS, in light of this nation's commitment to the establishment of
representative democracies and democratic institutions throughout the
world, the Cuban-American community in New Jersey looks forward to the
time when similar democratic reform may occur in Cuba; and
WHEREAS, the Cuban-American community in New Jersey awaits the day when
the Cuban people are liberated from communist dictatorship, and the Cuban
people are free to form a government that is democratic, respects human
rights and provides due process of law to its citizens; and
WHEREAS, a liberated Cuba will enable the Cuban people to engage in
economic, social, cultural and educational exchanges with the people of
the United States, including the people of New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, a free and open exchange of ideas, people and goods will benefit
the people of Cuba as well as the people of New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey contains the second largest population of people
of Cuban descent in the United States and should, therefore, study the
immigration process and its possible impact on New Jersey and its population
and develop appropriate procedures to respond to a potential influx of
immigrants; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order Nos. 24 (Whitman) and 89 (Florio) directed
the then-Department of Commerce and Economic Development to conduct a
study to determine the likely social, economic and cultural consequences
that would result from the liberation of the people of Cuba; and
WHEREAS, the liberation of the people of Cuba is becoming increasingly
more imminent; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order Nos. 24 (Whitman) and 89 (Florio) should be
reconstituted in recognition of the current situation in Cuba;
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:
- Executive Order
No. 24 (Whitman) is hereby superseded by this Order.
- There is hereby
established the Free Cuba Task Force ("Task Force"), within the Commerce
and Economic Growth Commission.
- The Task Force
shall consist of nineteen members appointed by the Governor, including
the Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Commerce and Economic
Growth Commission. The Governor shall select the chair of the Task Force.
- The Task Force
shall conduct a study to determine the likely social, economic and cultural
consequences that would result from the liberation of the people of
Cuba. Specifically, the Task Force shall plan a strategy that will enable
the State of New Jersey and the people of Cuba to take full advantage
of democratic reform in Cuba. The report shall delineate appropriate
steps to be taken with respect to immigration issues which may impact
on New Jersey as a result of these developments.
- The Task Force
shall coordinate its efforts with the Commerce and Economic Growth Commission
and all State departments having relevant expertise or knowledge of
such issues.
- The Task Force
may request assistance from any department, division, office or agency
of the State. Any department, division, office or agency of the State
is hereby required to cooperate with the Task Force and furnish it with
information and personnel assistance to the extent necessary to achieve
goals of this Order.
- The Task Force
shall report its findings within six months of the date of this Order
and every six months thereafter.
- This Order shall
take effect immediately.