    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [September 7, 2005]
    [Page 1404]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Requesting
    Additional Appropriations for Response and Recovery Efforts in Areas
    Struck by Hurricane Katrina
    September 7, 2005

    Dear Mr. Speaker:
        On September 2nd, I signed into law Public Law 109-61, the
    ``Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Meet Immediate Needs
    Arising From the Consequences of Hurricane Katrina, 2005,'' which
    provided $10.5 billion in emergency supplemental funds for hurricane-
    related disaster relief.
        Due to the catastrophic nature of Hurricane Katrina, I am asking the
    Congress to consider the enclosed request, for an additional $51.8
    billion, for emergency FY 2005 supplemental resources for the
    Departments of Defense and Homeland Security and the Army Corps of
    Engineers.
        I hereby designate this proposal in the amount requested herein as
    an emergency requirement. This request responds to urgent needs
    associated with immediate response and recovery efforts associated with
    Hurricane Katrina in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and other affected
    areas.
        I urge the Congress to act expeditiously on this request to ensure
    that the Federal response to this disaster continues uninterrupted. I
    anticipate making a further request that will provide for additional
    response and recovery efforts after further assessing the impact of the
    hurricane.
        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