[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 44 (Monday, November 7, 2005)]
[Page 1632]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Funding 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