For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 8, 2005

Message to the Congress of the United States Regarding Hurricane Katrina

I hereby report that I have exercised my statutory authority under section 3147 of title 40, United States Code, to suspend the provisions of 40 U.S.C. 3141-3148 in the event of a national emergency. I have found that the conditions caused by Hurricane Katrina constitute a "national emergency" within the meaning of section 3147. I have, therefore, suspended the provisions of 40 U.S.C. 3141-3148 in designated areas in the States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

This action is more fully set out in the enclosed proclamation that I have issued today.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

September 8, 2005.

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