    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 37 (Monday, September 17, 2001)]
    [Page 1303]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Memorandum on Excused Absence and Assistance to Federal Employees
    Affected by the Attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon

    September 12, 2001

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Excused Absence and Assistance to Federal Employees Affected by
    the Attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon

        I am deeply saddened and outraged by the loss of life and suffering
    caused by the attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City and the
    Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. I convey my deepest sympathy and
    heartfelt sorrow to our fellow Americans and their families who have
    been affected by these senseless acts of violence. Many parts of the
    Federal Government have been mobilized to respond to this tragedy.
        As part of this effort, I ask the heads of executive departments and
    agencies having Federal civilian employees in the affected areas to
    excuse from duty, without charge to leave or loss of pay, any such
    employee who is prevented from reporting to work or faced with a
    personal emergency because of the terrorist attacks and who can be
    spared from his or her usual responsibilities. This policy should also
    be applied to any employee who is needed for emergency law enforcement,
    relief, or recovery efforts authorized by Federal, State, or local
    officials having jurisdiction.
        I have directed the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the
    Department of Labor to establish teams of specialists to assist with
    Federal benefits and workers' compensation claims of those employees who
    were injured or killed in the attacks.
        Finally, I have directed OPM to establish an emergency leave
    transfer program to assist employees affected by this major disaster.
    The emergency leave transfer program will permit employees in an
    executive agency to donate unused annual leave for transfer to employees
    of the same or other agencies who have been adversely affected by the
    attacks and who need additional time off from work without having to use
    their own paid leave.
                                                    George W. Bush