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October 3, 2001
MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENT COMPONENTS
FROM: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL [signed John Ashcroft]
SUBJECT: Support of the President's Order to Call-up the Reserve and National Guard
On September 11, 2001, the United States experienced one of the greatest tragedies ever witnessed on American soil. Numerous federal agencies mobilized their resources immediately after the first report of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. The President and Vice President presided over a number of cabinet and subcabinet meetings to ensure the government's plans were put into effect.
On September 14, 2001, the President signed Executive Order 13223, copy attached, ordering the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces to active duty for a period of not more than 24 months to respond to the continuing and immediate threat of further attacks on the United States. The Reservists will provide port operations, medical support, engineer support, general civil support, and homeland defense. I fully support the President's action and call on each of you to show your support for it as well. I expect you to make these employees available for active duty, unless their absence would jeopardize national security.
Everyone is being asked to make sacrifices in response to the attack on America to ensure the security of our citizens and America's vital resources, its cherished landmarks, and institutions. I expect that staff shortages will occur; however, we all have to pull together to make up for employee absences.
In those rare situations where the military call-up of a key civilian employee, who is a Reserve component member, will adversely impact national security, you may send a request for exception to the Assistant Attorney General for Administration, who will coordinate the request with the office of the Secretary of Defense. I expect each of you to screen all such requests to ensure that only critical requests for exceptions are made.
Page created October 9, 2001
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