    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [June 29, 2002]
    [Pages 1083-1084]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Temporary Transfer of the Powers and
    Duties of President of the United States
    June 29, 2002

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        As my staff has previously communicated to you, I will undergo this
    morning a routine medical procedure requiring sedation. In view of
    present circumstances, I have determined to transfer temporarily my
    Constitutional powers and duties to the Vice President during the brief
    period of the procedure and recovery.
        Accordingly, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the
    Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, this letter
    shall constitute my written declaration that I am unable to discharge
    the Constitutional powers and duties of the office of President of the
    United States. Pursuant to Section 3, the Vice President shall discharge
    those powers and duties as Acting President until I transmit to you a
    written declaration that I am able to resume the discharge of those
    powers and duties.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    [[Page 1084]]

    Note: Letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House of
    Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of the
    Senate. The Office of the Press Secretary released the text of both
    letters. Originals were not available for verification of the content of
    the letters.