    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [July 12, 2002]
    [Page 1224]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Requesting Funds
    for the Disaster Relief Program of the Federal Emergency Management
    Agency
    July 12, 2002

    Dear Mr. Speaker:
        In accordance with provisions of Public Law 107-73, the Departments
    of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent
    Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, I hereby request and make available
    $500 million for the disaster relief program of the Federal Emergency
    Management Agency (FEMA).
        These funds would allow FEMA to continue providing assistance to
    victims of disasters in several States, including victims of recent
    flooding in Texas and wild fires in Arizona and Colorado. These funds
    would also be available for ongoing response to prior disasters and to
    ensure that FEMA has resources on hand to provide timely response to
    future disasters.
        I designate the funds made available today as an emergency
    requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and
    Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended.
        The details of this action are set forth in the attached letter from
    the Director of Management and Budget. I concur with his comments and
    observations.
            Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this letter.