CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today signed an Executive Order guaranteeing that state employees activated to full-time National Guard duty, by either the federal government or the state, will continue to receive their health and retirement benefits and the difference in pay between their state salaries and military salaries.

"Our National Guard members, and their families, make tremendous sacrifices to serve and protect us. As Governor, I am honored to be not only the Commander in Chief of the New Hampshire National Guard, but the employer of many of its members," Gov. Lynch said. "I want to make sure that state government is doing everything possible to assist our employees who are also members of the National Guard.

"That is why today I am issuing an Executive Order guaranteeing that state employees mobilized to state or federal National Guard duty will continue to receive their health and retirement benefits, as well as the difference between their state and military salaries."

Gov. Lynch's Executive Order extends an Executive Order issued by former Gov. Craig Benson that guaranteed differential pay to state employees activated by the federal government for National Guard duty. That Order was set to expire shortly. Gov. Lynch's Executive Order will remain in effect unless it is repealed by a future Governor.

In addition, Gov. Lynch's Executive Order also clarifies that the pay and benefit guarantee for state employees also applies to those activated for state duty, either by the Governor of New Hampshire, or by another Governor who participates in the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Any state employee who was mobilized for the response to Hurricane Katrina will receive differential pay and benefits.

Last week, Gov. Lynch mobilized nearly 500 members of the New Hampshire National Guard to support the Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts in Louisiana. Since September 11th, nearly 2,000 members of the New Hampshire National Guard have been called to active duty in some capacity by the federal government.

Executive Order Number 2005-5