    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [December 3, 2003]
    [Page 1672]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1672]]

    Statement on Signing the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and
    Development Act
    December 3, 2003

        Today, I have signed S. 189, the ``21st Century Nanotechnology
    Research and Development Act.'' The Act authorizes appropriations for
    research in nanoscience, nanoengineering, and nanotechnology research
    and other related activities.
        Several provisions of the Act, including sections 2(d)(2), 3(c)(1),
    4(d), and 5(d), purport to call for executive branch officials to submit
    to the Congress proposals for legislation, including funding
    legislation. The executive branch shall implement these provisions in a
    manner consistent with the President's constitutional authority to
    supervise the unitary executive branch and to recommend for the
    consideration of the Congress such measures as the President judges
    necessary and expedient.
        The executive branch shall construe section 2(b)(4)(E) of the Act in
    a manner consistent with the Government's obligation under the Due
    Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution to ensure
    equal protection of the laws.

                                                              George W. Bush

    The White House,

    December 3, 2003.

    Note: S. 189, approved December 3, was assigned Public Law No. 108-153.
    An original was not available for verification of the content of this
    statement.