    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [April 30, 1997]
    [Page 516]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Excused Absence for Employees Affected by the Flooding of
    the Red River and Its Aftermath
    April 30, 1997

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Excused Absence for Employees Affected by the Flooding of the
    Red River and its Aftermath

        I am deeply concerned about the devastating losses caused by the
    flooding of the Red River 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 Minnesota, North
    Dakota, and South Dakota in areas designated as disaster areas because
    of the flooding of the Red River 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
    flood 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