    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 3 (Monday, January 24, 1994)]
    [Page 118]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency Director James L. Witt on
    Disaster Assistance for California

    January 17, 1994

    Dear Mr. Witt:

        I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the State of
    California, resulting from an earthquake and aftershocks on January 17,
    1994, and continuing, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant
    a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
    Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (``the Stafford Act''). I,
    therefore, declare that such a major disaster exists in the State of
    California.
        In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby authorized to
    allocate from funds available for these purposes, such amounts as you
    find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and administrative
    expenses.
        You are authorized to provide Individual Assistance and Public
    Assistance in the designated areas. Consistent with the requirement that
    Federal assistance be supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the
    Stafford Act for Public Assistance will be limited to 75 percent of the
    total eligible costs except for direct Federal assistance costs for
    emergency work authorized at 100 percent Federal funding for the first
    72 hours.
        Sincerely,
                                                      Bill Clinton

    Note: This letter was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary but was not issued as a White House press release.