    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [September 14, 2004]
    [Pages 2060-2061]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Transmitting
    Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Requests
    September 14, 2004

    Dear Mr. Speaker:
        On September 6th, I submitted a supplemental request totaling $2
    billion for the Department of Homeland Security for urgent needs
    associated with Hurricanes Charley and Frances. The Congress' prompt
    action on this request ensured that immediate response efforts to these
    recent disasters would continue uninterrupted. In addition to utilizing
    the supplemental funds provided in Public Law 108-303, the Emergency
    Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, Federal Government
    agencies will continue to use existing resources and programs for
    response and recovery efforts.
        I now ask the Congress to consider the enclosed requests, totaling
    $3.1 billion, for additional emergency FY 2004 supplemental
    appropriations for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human
    Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, the
    Interior, and Veterans Affairs, the Corps of Engineers, the National
    Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Small Business Administration,
    and the Executive Office of the President.
        I hereby designate these specific proposals in the amounts requested
    herein as emergency requirements. As I stated in my previous request,
    these additional requests will allow for a comprehensive response and
    recovery effort to address the critical needs associated with both of
    these hurricanes in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and other
    affected areas. I urge the Congress to limit this emergency request to
    those items directly related to the recovery efforts from the impact of
    these recent major disasters.
        The details of these requests are set forth in the enclosed letter
    from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

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