    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [May 22, 2003]
    [Page 531]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 531]]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Transmitting a
    Contingent Emergency Request for the Department of Homeland Security
    May 22, 2003

    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
    $250 million for the disaster relief program of the Department of
    Homeland Security (DHS).
        These funds would allow DHS to continue providing assistance for
    disasters in several States, including the recovery from damaging winter
    storms on the East Coast and recent tornado disasters in the Midwest.
    These funds also would be available for ongoing response to prior
    disasters and to ensure that DHS has resources on hand to provide timely
    response to future disasters.
        I designate these 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 the Office of Management and Budget. I concur with his
    comments and observations.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush