    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [December 19, 2002]
    [Page 2206]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing Legislation To Reauthorize the Hydrographic
    Services Improvement Act of 1998 and for Other Purposes
    December 19, 2002

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 4883, an Act to reauthorize the
    Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, and for other purposes.
        The executive branch shall construe sections 221(a)(4), 223(b), and
    241(a)(2) of the Act as providing statutory bases for revocation of
    commissions or removal from service that are separate from, in addition
    to, and not in derogation of the President's constitutional authority to
    remove officers of the United States. The executive branch also shall
    construe sections 222 and 224 in a manner consistent with the
    President's constitutional authority to nominate and appoint candidates
    who are not the subject of recommendations under those sections.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     December 19, 2002.

    Note: H.R. 4883, approved December 19, was assigned Public Law No. 107-
    372.