[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.