[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 8139-8140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4068]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 24, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 8139]]

                Executive Order 13503 of February 19, 2009

                
Establishment of the White House Office of Urban 
                Affairs

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, and in order to take a coordinated and 
                comprehensive approach to developing and implementing 
                an effective strategy concerning urban America, it is 
                hereby ordered as follows:

                Section 1. Policy. About 80 percent of Americans live 
                in urban areas, and the economic health and social 
                vitality of our urban communities are critically 
                important to the prosperity and quality of life for 
                Americans. Vibrant cities spawn innovation, economic 
                growth, and cultural enrichment through the businesses, 
                universities, and civic, cultural, religious, and 
                nonprofit institutions they attract. Forward-looking 
                policies that encourage wise investment and development 
                in our urban areas will create employment and housing 
                opportunities and make our country more competitive, 
                prosperous, and strong. In the past, insufficient 
                attention has been paid to the problems faced by urban 
                areas and to coordinating the many Federal programs 
                that affect our cities. A more comprehensive approach 
                is needed, both to develop an effective strategy for 
                urban America and to coordinate the actions of the many 
                executive departments and agencies whose actions impact 
                urban life.

                Sec. 2. Establishment. There is established within the 
                Executive Office of the President the White House 
                Office of Urban Affairs (the ``Office'').

                Sec. 3. Functions. The principal functions of the 
                Office are, to the extent permitted by law:

                    (a) to provide leadership for and coordinate the 
                development of the policy agenda for urban America 
                across executive departments and agencies;
                    (b) to coordinate all aspects of urban policy;
                    (c) to work with executive departments and agencies 
                to ensure that appropriate consideration is given by 
                such departments and agencies to the potential impact 
                of their actions on urban areas;
                    (d) to work with executive departments and 
                agencies, including the Office of Management and 
                Budget, to ensure that Federal Government dollars 
                targeted to urban areas are effectively spent on the 
                highest-impact programs; and
                    (e) to engage in outreach and work closely with 
                State and local officials, with nonprofit 
                organizations, and with the private sector, both in 
                seeking input regarding the development of a 
                comprehensive urban policy and in ensuring that the 
                implementation of Federal programs advances the 
                objectives of that policy.

                Sec. 4. Coordination. In performing its functions, the 
                Office shall work closely with all relevant executive 
                departments and agencies, and offices and councils 
                within the Executive Office of the President, including 
                but not limited to:

                    (a) the Department of the Treasury;
                    (b) the Department of Justice;
                    (c) the Department of Commerce;
                    (d) the Department of Labor;
                    (e) the Department of Health and Human Services;

[[Page 8140]]

                    (f) the Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development;
                    (g) the Department of Transportation;
                    (h) the Department of Energy;
                    (i) the Department of Education; and
                    (j) the Environmental Protection Agency.

                Sec. 5. Administration. (a) The Office may work with 
                established or ad hoc committees, task forces, and 
                interagency groups.

                    (b) The Office shall have a staff headed by the 
                Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Urban 
                Affairs (Director). The Director shall report jointly 
                to the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental 
                Affairs and Public Liaison and to the Assistant to the 
                President for Domestic Policy. The Office shall have 
                such staff and other assistance as may be necessary to 
                carry out the provisions of this order.
                    (c) All executive departments and agencies shall 
                cooperate with the Office and provide such information, 
                support, and assistance to the Office as the Director 
                may request, to the extent permitted by law.

                Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order 
                shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

  (i) authority granted by law to a department, agency, or the head 
thereof; or

  (ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

                    (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with 
                applicable law and subject to the availability of 
                appropriations.
                    (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, 
                create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
                enforceable at law or in equity by any party against 
                the United States, its departments, agencies, or 
                entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any 
                other person.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    February 19, 2009.

[FR Doc. E9-4068
Filed 2-23-09; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P