    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [November 28, 2001]
    [Page 1456]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing Legislation To Prevent the Elimination of Certain
    Legislatively Mandated Executive Branch Reports
    November 28, 2001

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 1042, an Act to prevent the
    scheduled elimination of certain legislatively mandated executive branch
    reports. This legislation restores 29 statutory reporting requirements
    that expired last year, pursuant to the Federal Reports Elimination and
    Sunset Act of 1995. I sign this legislation in deference to the
    Congress' determination that the reports are necessary to fulfilling its
    oversight responsibilities. But I remain concerned that many of the
    existing statutory reporting requirements impose an excessive burden on
    executive branch agencies. In particular, I am concerned that some of
    the reports reinstated by H.R. 1042 are either obsolete or duplicative
    of other reporting requirements. My Administration will continue to work
    with the Congress to reduce the burden created by unnecessary statutory
    reporting requirements through the elimination of these unnecessary
    requirements, while respecting the oversight responsibilities of the
    Congress.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     November 28, 2001.

    Note: H.R. 1042, approved November 28, was assigned Public Law No. 107-
    74.