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did get to see the inner city and then the outreaches of Charleston, as well as going to rural areas.

And I must say, I want to first thank Governor Campbell for his tremendous cooperation. I want to thank the four Congressmen that came down with me-three of whom are with me here-Senator Strom Thurmond, who was so instrumental in passing an emergency bill that permitted me to sign today $1.1 billion of assistance to South Carolina and Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Even though the trip was short, I had a chance to talk to some of the people and I commend the spirit of the people of South Carolina. I expect it's true for North Carolina and Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. But you couldn't help be impressed to hear the people saying, "Look, we're going to bounce back."

I was grateful to them for their understanding of the Federal Government's role here. I do know that there's been a critic or two, perhaps less than I would have expected. But to the critics, I simply say, I understand. We are trying very hard, and there are men and women in the U.S. Services, of FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency], out there giving of themselves just as the people's neighbors are here. And I think when all the dust is settled and the debris removed, people are going to understand that this has been a total team effort. And I'm proud to have been in the company of these leaders who were so concerned about their own State, concerned about their country as well.

One thing that touched me very much was a young homeowner there saying that he had had offers of help from all over this country. And I think it does bring out the very best in the men and women of America who want to help in a tragedy of this nature. It's tough, it was devastating, but the spirit of South Carolina came through loud and clear. And so, we'll be alert to do what additionally we might do. But I'm proud of those Federal workers and those civilians that are out there doing their level best to snap back after a terrible tragedy.

Thank you all very much. And, Governor, good luck, stay in touch. Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 9:10 a.m. at a disaster relief site. In his remarks, he referred to South Carolina Representatives Arthur Ravenel, Jr., Floyd Spence, John M. Spratt, Jr., and Robin Tallon.

Statement on Signing a Bill Making
Continuing Appropriations For the
Fiscal Year 1990, Including Hurricane
Hugo Disaster Assistance
September 29, 1989

Today I have signed into law H.J. Res. 407, a continuing resolution that includes funds to address the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Hugo and that provides funds to maintain the activities of the Federal Government through October 25, 1989, or until the date of enactment of pending appropriations bills, whichever occurs first.

The resolution provides $1.1 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide critically needed Federal disaster relief assistance to Charleston and other communities in South Carolina, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The assistance provided by these additional funds is imperative for those who are suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Hugo. I would like to commend the Congress for its immediate and compassionate response to the Administration's request for additional funds. Together with the other disaster relief programs of the Federal Government and the important contributions of State and local governments, private industry, and charitable organizations, these funds will help the victims of Hurricane Hugo rebuild their homes, communities, businesses, and lives.

I also want to commend the Congress for presenting me with a resolution that does not contain extraneous and unnecessary legislative provisions. This resolution is needed because the Congress has not completed action on all 13 appropriations bills, and funding for most Federal Government operations would otherwise expire on September 30, 1989. Although I support this resolu

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Memorandum on Administrative
Dismissal of Federal Employees
Affected by Hurricane Hugo
September 29, 1989

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive
Departments and Agencies

Subject: Administrative Dismissal of
Employees Affected by Hurricane Hugo

We have all been deeply moved by the terrible losses so many of our fellow Americans have suffered due to the ravages of Hurricane Hugo.

As a part of our national effort to recover from the effects of this storm, I request heads of executive departments and agencies who have Federal civilian employees in the geographic areas designated disaster areas because of the damage caused by Hurricane Hugo to consider their agency and OPM regulations and where appropriate excuse from duty, without charge to leave or loss of pay, any such employee who can be spared from duty and who is faced with a personal emergency because of the storm. Such excusal from duty should also apply for any employee who is needed for emergency law enforcement, relief, or clean-up efforts authorized by State or local officials having jurisdiction.

George Bush

Remarks at the Retirement Ceremony for Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Annapolis, Maryland September 29, 1989

Thank you, Secretary Cheney, Members of the United States Congress here today, members of the Cabinet. And let me just acknowledge a few of the many distinguished men and women here this morning. I understand, though I haven't yet seen him, that Jack Vessey, a former Chairman. of the Joint Chiefs, is here. Governor Schaefer and Mayor Callahan, and all the Service Secretaries, Service Chiefs, and the Commanders-in-Chief of the Unified and Specified Commands seated here. And, of course, the men and women of our Armed Forces. I want to give a special welcome to the members of the Crowe family who are here today-Bill's wife, Shirley; their children, Brent, Bambi, and Blake. And that is Captain Blake Crowe of the U.S. Marines. And finally, the man with the difficult task of filling Admiral Crowe's shoes, our incoming Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Colin Powell.

Days like this one are bittersweet. And I've just shared with Admiral Crowe his final inspection of members of the finest fighting forces in the world. And many of us here today know Bill Crowe, count him as a friend; all of us admire him. In a moment, we'll hear from the man himself. And maybe he'll tell us the story of how a fella from a State that's landlocked chose the Navy, rose to the rank of Admiral and to the Chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

But what Bill Crowe will be too modest to talk about is his stellar career, his many achievements in 47 years in uniform, a few of which we've just heard about. For those who measure heroism and dazzling acts of concentration and courage, the Admiral's Bronze Star for Valor is testament enough-proud evidence of the man's resolve and character. But Admiral Crowe's heroism has reached far beyond serving in combat, through a lifetime of acts of quiet valor; through work, words, and deeds done for sheer love of country. Admiral Crowe has done so much for peace.

William James once wrote that, "civic courage," as we call it in times of peace, “is a kind of valor to which the monuments of nations should most of all be reared." What speaks to the Admiral's civic courage more eloquently than any monument is the kind of integrity, honesty, and patriotism he's gleaned from his roots in Oklahoma. Before Bill would mention titles like Admiral or Doctor of Philosophy or Diplomat, he'd sooner tell you about the one title he truly cherishes: Oklahoman. One hundred years ago Bill's grandfather was among the first to make the run into the Oklahoma territory. And those were strong people, staking claims and standing firm in hard and hostile lands. And today, when Shirley Crowe takes her measure of someone, she asks herself, Would he have made the run? Today, a nation looks proudly toward Admiral Crowe, and we know in our hearts that in his service he has made the run.

The summer before last, Bill added a hat to his famous collection that he probably thought he'd never see: a Soviet seaman's cap given to him by the Marshal of the Soviet Union, Sergei Akhromeyev, on the first of a series of icebreaking visits involving the American and Soviet military. Even more astounding was another gift, given to Admiral Crowe and to all of us, in the moment when he stood on the decks of that Soviet cruiser, Kirov. The sailors that he'd spent a career thinking of as adversaries were determined to honor him, and they

did,

by playing "The Star-Spangled Banner. Moments like that are rare and precious, not merely in the lifetime of men, but in the lifetime of nations.

I want to share a story about the Soviet Marshal's visit here-Akhromeyev-in July 1988. First, of course, came the trips, the mandatory trips, if you will, to a series of U.S. military installations. But after Admiral Crowe introduced his Soviet guest to American troops and American firepower, and to the kids the greatest kids in the fighting force anywhere, ever-he decided it was time to introduce him to America. And so Bill took Marshal Akhromeyev out to Oklahoma for an old-fashioned barbecue, the likes of which that Marshal had never seen back in his own hometown. And that's Bill Crowe. A no-nonsense toughness, a resolve when it comes to defending America, and a

warm heart for what makes America worth fighting for.

Bill Crowe's 4 years as Chairman have coincided with a time of transition in international affairs. And he's been steady at the helm, and he's kept a clear eye on emerging opportunities and on changing international conditions, and on the one unchanging demand of national security-preserving the peace and freedom of this great nation. Admiral Crowe, I've seen your poise and professionalism in times of crisis; I have benefited from your experience and counsel; I know you as an adviser and friend. And so, Bill, on behalf of a grateful nation, I thank you for the lifelong service you have offered our country. I wish you Godspeed. May God bless you, and your family, and the United States of America. Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 11:30 a.m. at Worden Field at the United States Naval

Academy. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary of Defense Richard B. Cheney, Gov. William D. Schaefer of Maryland, and Mayor Dennis M. Callahan of Annapolis.

Statement by the President on Signing
the Energy and Water Development
Appropriations Act, 1990
September 29, 1989

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2696, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1990. I want to take this opportunity to commend the Congress for two reasons: first, for keeping funding contained in this Act at acceptable levels; and second, for the speed with which they produced the bill.

The Energy and Water bill is the first fiscal year 1990 appropriations bill to be presented to me for signature. I am pleased that the Congress has completed its work on this bill before the end of the fiscal year. I strongly urge the Congress to complete action on the remaining 12 appropriations bills quickly.

I am also pleased that the Congress and the Administration agreed on several actions that represent investment in Ameri

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ca's future and protection of our environment, particularly:

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Providing funds for construction of the Superconducting Super Collider. This will be the largest and most ambitious basic research facility ever built. It is a critical part of this Administration's initiatives to strengthen the position of

the United States as a world leader in science and technology.

Fully funding atomic energy defense activities. The problems of cleaning up the environment will not be solved overnight, but a major step has been taken. Success in this endeavor will require continuing cooperation between the States, the Congress, and the Administration.

I encourage the Congress to continue to present me with spending bills that recognize important national priorities but keep funding at acceptable levels.

The White House, September 29, 1989.

George Bush

Note: H.R. 2696, approved September 29, was assigned Public Law No. 101-101.

Executive Order 12692-Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees

September 29, 1989

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, and in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Each advisory committee listed below is continued until September 30, 1991:

(a) Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business Ownership; Executive Order No. 12190 (Small Business Administration).

(b) Committee for the Preservation of the White House; Executive Order No. 11145, as amended (Department of the Interior).

(c) Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health; Executive Order No. 12196, as amended (Department of Labor).

(d) President's Commission on White House Fellowships; Executive Order No. 11183, as amended (Office of Personnel Management).

(e) President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities; Executive Order No. 12367, as amended (National Endowment for the Arts).

(f) President's Committee on the International Labor Organization; Executive Order No. 12216 (Department of Labor).

(g) President's Committee on Mental Retardation; Executive Order No. 11776 (Department of Health and Human Services).

(h) President's Committee on the National Medal of Science; Executive Order No. 11287, as amended (National Science Foundation).

(i) President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; Executive Order No. 12345, as amended (Department of Health and Human Services).

(j) President's Export Council; Executive Order No. 12131, as amended (Department of Commerce).

(k) President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee; Executive Order No. 12382, as amended (Department of Defense).

Sec. 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other Executive order, the functions of the President under the Federal Advisory Committee Act that are applicable to the committees listed in Section 1 of this order, except that of reporting annually to the Congress, shall be performed by the head of the department or agency designated after each committee, in accordance with guidelines and procedures established by the Administrator of General Services.

Sec. 3. The following Executive orders, which established committees that have terminated or whose work is completed, are revoked:

(a) Executive Order No. 12462, as amended by Executive Order No. 12533, establishing the President's Advisory Committee on Mediation and Conciliation.

(b) Executive Order No. 12592, establishing the President's Commission on Compensation of Career Federal Executives.

(c) Executive Order No. 12668, establishing the President's Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform.

(d) Executive Order No. 12607, establishing the President's Commission on Privatization.

(e) Executive Order No. 12296, as amended by Executive Order No. 12309, establishing the President's Economic Policy Advisory Board.

(f) Executive Order No. 12528, as amended by Executive Order No. 12604, establishing the Presidential Board of Advisors on Private Sector Initiatives.

(g) Executive Order No. 12601, as amended by Executive Order No. 12603, establishing the Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemic. Sec. 4. Executive Order No. 12610 is superseded.

Sec. 5. This order shall be effective September 30, 1989.

The White House, September 29, 1989.

George Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:08 a.m., October 2, 1989]

Executive Order 12693-Exclusion of the Defense Mapping Agency Reston Center and Elements Under the Joint Special Operations Command From the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program

September 29, 1989

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, including section 7103(b)(1) of title 5 of the United States Code, and having determined that the Defense Mapping Agency Reston Center and the elements under the operational control of the Joint Special Operations Command have as a primary function intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work and that the provisions of

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Message to the Congress Transmitting
the Annual Report of the Railroad
Retirement Board
September 29, 1989

To the Congress of the United States:

I hereby submit to the Congress the Annual Report of the Railroad Retirement Board for Fiscal Year 1988, pursuant to the provisions of section 7(b)(6) of the Railroad Retirement Act, enacted October 16, 1974, and section 12(1) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, enacted June 25, 1938.

Over 900,000 railroad retirees, their families, and 300,000 railroad employees rely on the railroad retirement system for social security equivalent benefits, rail industry pensions, and unemployment, disability, and sickness insurance benefits. These beneficiaries depend on the solvency and financial integrity of the railroad retirement trust funds to receive their benefits.

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