    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [November 5, 2001]
    [Page 1347]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1347]]

    Statement on Signing the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2002
    November 5, 2001

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 2904, the ``Military Construction
    Appropriations Act, 2002,'' which provides $10.5 billion for military
    construction and family housing programs administered by the Department
    of Defense.
        I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this
    Act. The Act abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for
    Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion and funds the vast majority of my
    request for military construction projects, the military housing
    program, and other projects for our military personnel and their
    families. The requested projects are critical to supporting military
    readiness and the quality of life for our soldiers. My Administration
    showed its commitment to improving the quality of housing available to
    our military personnel and their families by including an additional
    $400 million in the FY 2002 Budget. I want to thank the Congress for
    including it in this bill. However, I am disappointed that the bill
    includes a 1.127 percent general reduction, and a rescission of $55
    million from the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.
        As America battles terrorism, we must ensure that our men and women
    in uniform live in, train at, and deploy from adequate facilities. This
    bill shows our commitment to our service members by constructing and
    upgrading military installations, and military family housing in the
    United States and overseas.
        My Administration appreciates that the Congress has worked
    expeditiously during this difficult and trying time in our Nation's
    history to consider the FY 2002 appropriations bills. Now, through a
    renewed sense of bipartisanship, the Congress and my Administration must
    work together to ensure the timely enactment of the remaining bills.

                                                              George W. Bush

    The White House,

    November 5, 2001.

    Note: H.R. 2904, approved November 5, was assigned Public Law No. 107-
    64.