Governor visits families of
deployed 427th Support Battalion troops
Signs executive order implementing new protections in "Patriot Plan"

Governor George E. Pataki met last week with family members and friends of the New York National Guard troops from the 427th Support Battalion in Rochester who have been mobilized for federal active duty in connection with "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

During his visit, the governor announced that he signed an executive order which authorizes the implementation of portions of his newly proposed "Patriot Plan." The plan is a comprehensive set of bills and administrative measures to assist troops and their families who face potential added expenses and disruptions caused by being called to active duty in the nation's ongoing war against terrorism and military action in Iraq.

"I want to come to Rochester to thank all of the family members and friends of our brave men and women in the 427th Support Battalion for the sacrifices they are making on behalf of our state and nation," Governor Pataki said. "It is the support of our family members and friends here at home that makes it possible for our state's citizen soldiers to carry out their duties and responsibilities with such professionalism and pride."

"The sacrifices New York's military personnel make while serving on active duty should not be compounded by their families having to make additional sacrifices at home," Governor Pataki said. "Our newly proposed 'Patriot Plan' will help ensure that our soldiers and their families get the support and protections they need and deserve."

Along with the State Insurance Department's recent actions to ensure that military personnel engaged in active duty continue to receive their health benefits and other insurance protections, the governor's executive order authorizes the implementation of four additional administrative measures under the "Patriot Plan." They include:

• Expanding the Supplemental Military Leave Program to include all state officers and employees called to active duty in the war against terror and military action in Iraq;
• Permitting automatic extensions for license and registration renewals while military personnel are engaged in active duty;
• Providing free high-speed Internet access to family members of activated troops for the purpose of communicating with their loved ones; and
• Providing free "Empire Passport" to the state parks and beaches.

As the nation is engaged with Operation Iraqi Freedom overseas, Governor Pataki unveiled the state's war contingency plan, Operation NYShield, to help ensure homeland security and provide rapid response to any potential emergency situations. As part of this plan, hundreds more National Guard troops have been activated to support with security operations in New York City and across New York state.

There are now nearly 4,000 New York National Guard troops on state and federal active duty in New York in other parts of the U.S. and overseas. Since September 11, 2001, more than 14,000 members of the New York National Guard's 17,000 troops have been called to active duty.

The National Guard soldiers from the Rochester-based company of the 427th Support Battalion are primarily truck drivers, transporting various cargo, munitions and personnel to the battlefield. Dozens of these soldiers were mobilized in January of 2003 for federal active duty overseas.