    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [February 1, 2003]
    [Page 121]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Declaration Under the Stafford Act for Texas: Space
    Shuttle Columbia
    February 1, 2003

    Memorandum for the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Subject: Declaration Under the Stafford Act for Texas: Space Shuttle
    Columbia

        I have determined that the emergency conditions in certain areas of
    the State of Texas in connection with the events relating to the loss of
    the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003, are of sufficient
    severity and magnitude to warrant an emergency declaration under section
    501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
    Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206 (the ``Stafford Act''). The basis
    for my decision to make this declaration pursuant to section 501(b) of
    the Stafford Act includes the fact that the space shuttle and the space
    program are Federal property and Federal programs. I, therefore, declare
    that such an emergency exists in the State of Texas.
        In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby authorized to
    coordinate and direct other Federal agencies and fund activities not
    authorized under other Federal statutes and allocate from funds
    available for these purposes, such amounts as you find necessary for
    Federal emergency assistance and administrative expenses.
        Pursuant to this emergency declaration, you are authorized to
    provide emergency assistance as you deem appropriate under title V of
    the Stafford Act at 100 percent Federal funding.
        Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration to
    the extent allowable under the Stafford Act.

                                                              George W. Bush

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