    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [October 6, 1995]
    [Pages 1552-1553]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Absence of Federal Employees in the Aftermath of Hurricane
    Opal
    October 6, 1995

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Excused Absence for Employees Affected by Hurricane Opal and
    Its Aftermath

        I am deeply concerned about the devastating losses caused by
    Hurricane Opal and the impact on the well-being and livelihood of our
    fellow Americans who have been affected by this disaster. Elements of
    the Federal Government have been mobilized to respond to this disaster.
        As part of this effort, I request the heads of executive departments
    and agencies who have Federal civilian employees in the areas des-

    [[Page 1553]]

    ignated as disaster areas because of the effects of Hurricane Opal and
    its aftermath to use their discretion to excuse from duty, without
    charge to leave or loss of pay, any such employee who is faced with a
    personal emergency because of this storm and who can be spared from his
    or her usual responsibilities. This policy should also be applied to any
    employee who is needed for emergency law enforcement, relief, or clean-
    up efforts authorized by Federal, State, or local officials having
    jurisdiction.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: This memorandum was released by the Office of the Press Secretary
    on October 7.