[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 16 (Monday, April 24, 1995)]
[Pages 663-664]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency Director James Lee Witt on 
Disaster Assistance to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

April 19, 1995

Dear Mr. Witt:

    I have determined that the explosion at the Federal courthouse in 
Oklahoma City, on April 19, 1995, in the State of Oklahoma is of 
sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an emergency declaration 
under subsection 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act). My decision to make this 
declaration pursuant to subsection 501(b) of the Stafford Act is based 
upon the fact that the explosion occurred at a Federally-owned 
courthouse. I, therefore, declare that such an emergency exists in the 
city of Oklahoma City in the State of Oklahoma.
    In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby authorized to 
coordinate and direct other Federal agencies and fund activities not 
authorized under other Federal statutes and allocate from funds 
available for these purposes, such amounts as you find necessary for 
Federal emergency assistance and administrative expenses.
    Pursuant to this emergency declaration, you are authorized to 
provide emergency assistance as you deem appropriate under Title V of 
the Stafford Act at 100 percent Federal funding.

[[Page 664]]

    Sincerely,
                                                  Bill Clinton

Note: This letter was attached to a statement by Press Secretary Mike 
McCurry announcing disaster assistance to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.