    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [November 1, 2005]
    [Page 1636]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Requesting Funds
    for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and
    Response
    November 1, 2005

    Dear Mr. Speaker:
        Today, I outlined a strategy to address the threat of avian and
    pandemic influenza. This strategy is designed to meet three critical
    goals: to detect and contain outbreaks before they spread across the
    world, to protect the American people by stockpiling vaccines and
    antiviral drugs and accelerating the development of new vaccine
    technologies, and to ensure that Federal, State, and local communities
    are prepared for potential domestic outbreaks.
        To provide the necessary resources to immediately begin the
    implementation of this strategy, I ask the Congress to consider the
    enclosed requests, totaling $7.1 billion, for the Departments of Health
    and Human Services, Agriculture, Defense, Homeland Security, the
    Interior, State, and Veterans Affairs, as well as for International
    Assistance Programs.
        I hereby designate the proposals in the amount requested herein as
    emergency requirements, and I urge the Congress to act expeditiously on
    this request to ensure the country is prepared for this growing danger.
        The details of this request are set forth in the enclosed letter
    from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush