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Copyright © 2008 The G.I. Go Fund, Inc. All rights reserved.
The G.I. Go Fund
Where Veterans Go Forward
Fighting for Lcpl. Carlos Gonzalez and Military Employment Protection in New Jersey
On Sept. 26, 2006, the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey announced the layoffs of twelve city firefighters
due to a proposed $68 million budget introduced the week prior by the City Council. Among the twelve was
Lcpl. Carlos Gonzalez, a US Marine Reservist serving in Iraq, who was scheduled to return to Perth Amboy
at the end of October.
The G.I. Go Fund, believing that this is an injustice to serving his country and understanding the detrimental
effects this can have on a veteran transitioning back to civilian life, began a petition drive to save Lcpl.
Carlos Gonzalez’s employment with the City Firefighter Department in Perth Amboy. G.I. Go gathered
over two hundred signatures in protest of the layoff of Lcpl. Gonzalez in just a few hours in time for the
Perth Amboy City Council meeting later that day.
G.I. Go President Jack Fanous presented the petition to the City Council and spoke in support of Lcpl.
Gonzalez that day in front of a room full of angered Perth Amboy City residents and families affected by the
layoffs. Two days later, then Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas, also a New Jersey Assemblyman, drafted
legislation that would exempt a serviceman or woman activated during time of war or emergency from
being a part of any layoffs in the State of New Jersey. G.I. Go supported this legislation but stressed its
swift passage so that Lcpl. Gonzalez would not return home from service to a pink slip. The Gonzalez
family and many other members of the community also supported this legislation.
The G.I. Go Fund continued the petition drive in support of Lcpl. Carlos Gonzalez and Legislation A3622
until acquiring over 1,500 signatures. In addition, the organization participated in a silent protest with Carlos
Gonzalez’s sister Egnita Santana and the Gonzalez family. Among those who attended the rally was the
National Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief George Lisicki of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who marched in
strong support of Lcpl. Gonzalez and the legislation.
After contacting all members of the New Jersey State Assembly and the New Jersey State Senate, the
legislation was passed unanimously by the New Jersey State Senate on December 10, 2007. On December
13, 2007, the New Jersey State Assembly also unanimously passed the legislation. Finally, after contacting
the Governor’s office, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the bill into law on January 3, 2008.
On Sept. 26, 2006, the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey announced the layoffs of twelve city firefighters
due to a proposed $68 million budget introduced the week prior by the City Council. Among the twelve was
Lcpl. Carlos Gonzalez, a US Marine Reservist serving in Iraq, who was scheduled to return to Perth Amboy
at the end of October.
The G.I. Go Fund, believing that this is an injustice to serving his country and understanding the detrimental
effects this can have on a veteran transitioning back to civilian life, began a petition drive to save Lcpl.
Carlos Gonzalez’s employment with the City Firefighter Department in Perth Amboy. G.I. Go gathered
over two hundred signatures in protest of the layoff of Lcpl. Gonzalez in just a few hours in time for the
Perth Amboy City Council meeting later that day.
G.I. Go President Jack Fanous presented the petition to the City Council and spoke in support of Lcpl.
Gonzalez that day in front of a room full of angered Perth Amboy City residents and families affected by the
layoffs. Two days later, then Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas, also a New Jersey Assemblyman, drafted
legislation that would exempt a serviceman or woman activated during time of war or emergency from
being a part of any layoffs in the State of New Jersey. G.I. Go supported this legislation but stressed its
swift passage so that Lcpl. Gonzalez would not return home from service to a pink slip. The Gonzalez
family and many other members of the community also supported this legislation.
The G.I. Go Fund continued the petition drive in support of Lcpl. Carlos Gonzalez and Legislation A3622
until acquiring over 1,500 signatures. In addition, the organization participated in a silent protest with Carlos
Gonzalez’s sister Egnita Santana and the Gonzalez family. Among those who attended the rally was the
National Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief George Lisicki of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who marched in
strong support of Lcpl. Gonzalez and the legislation.
After contacting all members of the New Jersey State Assembly and the New Jersey State Senate, the
legislation was passed unanimously by the New Jersey State Senate on December 10, 2007. On December
13, 2007, the New Jersey State Assembly also unanimously passed the legislation. Finally, after contacting
the Governor’s office, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the bill into law on January 3, 2008.
Military Employment Protection
