*Administration of Barack H. Obama, 2009 *

**Letter to Congressional Leaders Ordering the Selected Reserve and Certain Individual Ready Reserve Members of the Armed Forces to Active Duty **

*January 16, 2010 *

*Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) *

Effective today, pursuant to sections 121 and 12304 of title 10, United States Code, I have authorized the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, to order to active duty any units, and any individual members not assigned to a unit organized to serve as a unit, of the Selected Reserve, or any member in the Individual Ready Reserve mobilization category and designated as essential under regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned, and to terminate the service of those units and members ordered to active duty. Members of the Armed Forces ordered to active duty pursuant to these authorities will augment the active forces in support of operations for Haiti. The authorities that have been invoked will ensure the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security can fully support the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development.

A copy of the Executive Order I have issued is enclosed.

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA

NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Joe Biden, President of the Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on January 17.

*Categories:* Communications to Congress : Haiti, earthquake relief efforts, activation of U.S. Armed Forces Reserve members to assist in*.*

*Subjects:* Armed Forces, U.S. : Reserve members, activation of to assist in Haitian earthquake relief efforts ; Haiti : Earthquake, damage and recovery efforts; Haiti : U.S. assistance ; Natural disasters : Haiti, earthquake.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201000030.