STATE OF CONNECTICUT

BY HER EXCELLENCY

M. JODI RELL

GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 5

Whereas,  the freedom enjoyed by Connecticut residents is a result of the courage, dedication to duty, and love of State and Nation shown by Connecticut’s veterans who defended the founding ideals of our State and Nation, protected the innocent and liberated the oppressed from tyranny and terror; and

Whereas, Connecticut’s veterans have known the hardships, the fears and the tragic losses of war all while serving just and honorable purposes - the security of our State and Nation and the peace of the world; and

Whereas, the ranks of Connecticut’s veterans include citizen soldiers who risked their lives while serving in military conflicts, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and the war on terror; and

Whereas, Connecticut’s veterans have returned home from their duties and have further contributed to the growth and development of our State and our Nation; and

Whereas, Connecticut’s veterans serve as an inspiration to all of the citizens of Connecticut and as active and responsible citizens in their communities are models of the spirit of “public service”; and

Whereas, the men and women who throughout the course of Connecticut’s and our Nation’s history have taken up arms to secure, defend and maintain our homeland, have demonstrated courage, heroism and love of State and Nation time and again and are deserving of lasting respect and recognition in a veterans’ hall of fame; and

Whereas, induction to the hall of fame should not be viewed exclusively as a recognition of accomplishments during military service; it should also recognize the post-military achievements of outstanding veterans and highlight the many contributions of veterans as leaders or inspirational role models in civilian and civic life; and

Whereas, a veterans hall of fame is an appropriate and necessary tribute to Connecticut’s veterans: to honor the brave men and women of Connecticut who have served in our Nation’s armed forces and have demonstrated heroism, bravery and courage in defense of our State and Nation.

Now, therefore, I, M. Jodi Rell, Governor of the State of Connecticut, acting 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 in the State of Connecticut a hall of fame for veterans of this State which shall be named the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.

2)                      There is hereby established within the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame an Executive Committee which shall be responsible for the management of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, including without limitation, nominations and inductions into the Connecticut Hall of Fame, and which shall be composed of the following:

a.                   Commissioner of the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs or such person’s designee, who will serve as Chairman of the Executive Committee;

b.                  Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard or such person’s designee;

c.                   One living Medal of Honor recipient from Connecticut or a veteran from this State who has been highly decorated for bravery, courage and heroism in combat to be appointed by the Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard;

d.                  Two appointees selected by the Governor;

e.                   One seated member of the Senate of the State of Connecticut appointed jointly by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Senate Minority Leader; and

f.                    One seated member of the State of Connecticut House of Representatives appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the House Minority Leader.

3)                  The Executive Committee shall have the exclusive responsibility for the annual selection of inductees to the Connecticut Hall of Fame from the nominations solicited or received by the Executive Committee pursuant to guidelines governing the solicitation of nominations and the selection of inductees to the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame as such guidelines are established by the Executive Committee.

4)                  The guidelines established by the Executive Committee for the selection of inductees to the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame shall provide for the annual induction of ten (10) veterans from the State of Connecticut who have honorably served our State and Nation through military service and who have throughout their lifetime continued to serve and inspire with their deeds and accomplishments in civilian life.

5)                  The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the organization, production, promotion and management of an annual induction ceremony to recognize and memorialize the achievements of each year’s inductees into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, which ceremony shall take place each year on or about Veterans Day. 

6)                  The State of Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs together with the State of Connecticut Military Department shall, within existing funding and resources, support the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame and the Executive Committee and shall provide each with the staffing, funding and other resources necessary for the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame and the Executive Committee to carry out the purpose and intent of this executive order. 

7)                  The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame and Executive Committee are hereby authorized, to the extent permitted by applicable law to organize, incorporate and take such other legal, accounting or related organizational actions as to their composition, organization and management as the Executive Committee shall deem necessary or advisable including, without limitation, the establishment of a not-for-profit foundation to support the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, the Executive Board and their activities.

This order shall be effective upon signing.