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Ellis Island Advisory Committee on the
Preservation and Use of Ellis Island
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE? Please e-mail
us your the best methods to maintain, restore, and put to beneficial use the structures on
the island in a manner that is consistent with the historic significance of the island.
PLEASE READ BELOW TEXT BEFORE YOU
SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS.
Your comments will be sent to Assemblyman John Kelly.
NEWS RELEASE MEDIA ADVISORY (SCROLL
DOWN)
Gov. Whitman
Creates Advisory Group to
Guide Future of Ellis Island, New Jersey
Gov. Christie Whitman today signed an executive order creating an
advisory
committee to guide the preservation and future use of Ellis Island.
"We are very proud that yesterday's U.S. Supreme Court decision establishes,
once more, New Jersey's proper place in American history and we want to take an
active role in preserving Ellis Island for
future generations," said Gov. Whitman. "In
keeping with the responsibility that this decision places on New Jersey, I am
signing an Executive Order today to create the Advisory Committee on the
Preservation and Use of Ellis Island."
Ending a dispute that spanned over 160 years, the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday
declared that the majority of Ellis Island belongs to New Jersey. As a result, New
Jersey's laws will now apply to 22.5 of the island's 27.5 acres. Part of the main
building and several other buildings, including the hospital complex, now belong to
New Jersey.
The Advisory Committee on the Preservation and Use of Ellis Island is charged with
exploring all potential future uses of the structures on Ellis Island, New Jersey. The
group will also consider the best methods to maintain, restore, and put to
beneficial use the structures on the island in a manner that is consistent with the
historic significance of the island.
"We are seeking to preserve New Jersey's portion of Ellis Island not just for the
citizens of New Jersey, but for all Americans who recognize the pivotal role Ellis
Island played in America's life and perhaps their own," said Gov. Whitman.
Gov. Whitman said that the state will cooperate with, consult, and assist the
National Parks Service, which supervises Ellis Island, to determine the best use of
the structures.
The advisory committee will recommend a plan to the Governor and the State
Historic Preservation Officer.
The 13-member advisory committee will be comprised of the following members:
The Attorney General or his designee
The State Treasurer or his designee
The State Historic Preservation Officer
The Director of the Division of Taxation, or his designee
A Senator to be appointed by the President of the Senate
An Assembly Member to be appointed by the Speaker of the General
Assembly
The Mayor of Jersey City or his designee
A member of the New Jersey Congressional delegation
No more than four members of the public to be appointed by the Governor
based upon professional experience and expertise in urban planning, history,
architecture and/or historic restoration
In 1993, New Jersey filed a motion with the U.S. Supreme Court asking that the
court declare the original 2 ¾ acres of Ellis Island to be within the jurisdiction of
New York, with the remaining 24 acres to be within New Jersey's jurisdiction. New
Jersey's claim was based upon an 1834 boundary agreement between this state
and New York.
State of New Jersey
Executive Department
Executive Order No. 82
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
THE PRESERVATION
AND USE OF ELLIS ISLAND
WHEREAS, Ellis Island, New Jersey has played a singularly
important role in the history of the United States and the State
of New Jersey as an immigration station to which millions of
Americans and New Jersey residents can trace their roots;
WHEREAS, the historic significance of Ellis Island, New
Jersey was acknowledged by the United States when the Island was
designated as part of the Statute of Liberty/Ellis Island
National Monument and placed under the operation supervision of
the National Parks Service;
WHEREAS, the structures presently existing on the Island are
a significant part of the rich history of Ellis Island, New
Jersey;
WHEREAS, some of the structures on Ellis Island, including
the Main Building, have been maintained and restored successfully
through private and public efforts and placed to beneficial use
as an immigration museum and administrative offices;
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of the United States in an
opinion dated May 26, 1998 recognized and acknowledged New
Jersey's sovereignty and governmental control over a substantial
portion of Ellis Island, as defined in the Court's opinion;
WHEREAS, many of the structures on the portion of Ellis
Island that is within New Jersey's territory are presently in a
state of disrepair and disuse;
WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey seeks to cooperate with,
consult, and assist the National Parks Service in determining the
most beneficial future use of the structures on Ellis Island, New
Jersey and in selecting alternatives for maintaining and
restoring said structures;
WHEREAS, the citizens of the State of New Jersey, as well as
the citizens of the United States, would benefit from the
maintenance, restoration, and beneficial use of the structures on
Ellis Island, New Jersey;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, 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. The creation of the Advisory Committee on the
Preservation and Use of Ellis Island (the "Advisory Committee").
2. The Advisory Committee is charged with investigating all
potential future uses of the structures on Ellis Island, New
Jersey, examining available alternatives to maintain, restore,
and put to beneficial use the structures on Ellis Island, New
Jersey in a manner consistent with the historic significance of
the Island, recommending to the Governor and the State Historic
Preservation Officer a plan to maintain, restore, and put to
beneficial use the structures on Ellis Island, New Jersey and
cooperating with and assisting the State of New York and the City
of New York, when appropriate, with respect to the maintenance,
restoration, and use of the structures on the portion of Ellis
Island within the State of New York.
3. The Advisory Committee shall be composed of up to 13
members, as follows:
a. The Attorney General or his designee;
b. The State Treasurer or his designee;
c. The State Historic Preservation Officer;
d. The Secretary of State or her designee;
e. The Director, Division of Taxation or his
designee;
f. A Senator to be appointed by the President
of the Senate;
g. An Assembly Member to be appointed by the
Speaker of the General Assembly;
h. The Mayor of Jersey City or his designee;
i. A member of the New Jersey Congressional
delegation; and
j. No more than four members of the public to
be appointed by the Governor based upon
professional experience and expertise in urban
planning, history, architecture and/or historic
restoration.
The Governor shall designate a chair and vice-chair from
among the members of the Advisory Committee. The members shall
serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties subject to
the availability of funds therefor.
4. The Advisory Committee shall organize and meet as soon as
possible after the appointment of its members. The chair shall
appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the Advisory
Committee. Vacancies on the Advisory Committee shall be filled
in the same manner as the original appointment.
5. All State departments and agencies are hereby directed,
to the extent not inconsistent with the law and within budget
constraints, to cooperate with the Advisory Committee and to
respond to requests for such information, personnel and
assistance as are necessary to accomplish the purpose of this
Order.
6. This Order shall take effect immediately.
GOV. TO VISIT ELLIS ISLAND ON MONDAY;
NAME KEY MEMBERS OF ELLIS ISLAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Gov. Christie Whitman will announce key members, including the chair, of the
Advisory Committee on the Preservation and Use of Ellis Island
during a visit and
tour of Ellis Island on Monday. The Governor also will sign an executive order
increasing the number of public members on the Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee on the Preservation and Use of Ellis Island will be
responsible for investigating all potential uses of the structures on Ellis Island and
considering the best methods to maintain, restore, and put the structures to
beneficial use.
The Advisory Committee was created by Gov. Whitman following a decision of the
U. S. Supreme Court in May that declared that the majority of Ellis Island belongs
to New Jersey. The decision ended a dispute that spanned over 160 years. As a
result, New Jersey's laws now apply to 22.5 of the island's 27.5 acres. Part of the
main building and several other buildings, including the hospital complex, now
belong to New Jersey.Statement of Gov. Christie Whitman Regarding Ellis Island Decision
Gov. Christie Whitman issued the following statement in response to today’s U.S.
Supreme Court decision declaring that Ellis Island belongs largely to New Jersey:
“We are obviously very, very pleased with the decision. It means that New Jersey
will be recognized for its historical role in welcoming immigrants to America. This is
a tradition that continues today, well after the close of Ellis Island. Over 150
different languages are spoken in New Jersey. We are a diverse state where
ethnic traditions are strong.
“I will soon be establishing a special commission to make recommendations about
the future of Ellis Island. The commission will include members from various walks
of life and disciplines who will develop a plan that respects Ellis Island’s unique
and
important place in the history of New Jersey and the nation.
“Today’s decision puts to rest any and all disagreements about Ellis Island. It
settles nearly 160 years of dispute between our states. It establishes, once more,
New Jersey’s proper place in American history.”
PO BOX 004
TRENTON, NJ 08625
CONTACT: Jayne O'Connor
Gene Herman
609-777-2600
RELEASE: October 2, 1998
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