For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 15, 2002
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Dear Mr. Speaker:
In accordance with provisions of Public Law 107-73, the Departments
of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, I hereby request and make available
$500 million for the Disaster Relief program of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA).
These funds will allow FEMA to continue providing assistance to
victims of disasters in several States, including victims of recent
tornadoes in Maryland and storms and flooding in Kentucky, Tennessee,
and Virginia. These funds also would be available for ongoing response
to prior disasters and to ensure that FEMA has resources on hand to
provide timely response to future disasters.
I designate the $500 million made available today as an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended.
The details of this action are set forth in the enclosed letter
from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. I concur
with his comments and observations.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
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