July 19, 2006

The President of the United States

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

The President’s Export Council (PEC) is pleased to review the recent National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan developed by the Homeland Security Council and distributed in early May 2006.

By providing a framework to manage the threat of pandemic influenza, the plan demonstrates that much work has already been done. We believe this framework is just the beginning of a comprehensive and clear set of criteria that must be constructed and completed prior to a potential crisis. The additional time and effort we expend now will not only enhance the safety of the American people but will also ensure that critical commerce continues, despite potential interruptions to global manufacturing, services, and supply chain systems. Given the time that will be required to better secure many of the global supply chains for critical products and services, urgency in our preparedness efforts can not be overstated.

Although there are stated roles in the plan for state and local governments, the private sector, and the broader community, we believe that wholesale coordination by the federal government of the overall plan will and must assure the American public of our nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to a known potential crisis. In the final plan, there should be no question as to what roles federal, state and local governments play and how the private sector and other support organizations fit into the equation.

Research indicates that the immediate impact of pandemic influenza could result in workforce absenteeism as high as 40 percent, based on personal sickness and/or the need for individuals to care for ailing family members. Additionally, social distancing may severely disrupt normalcy and have dramatic social and economic impacts. Central direction from top federal leadership may help reduce the fear caused by this potential crisis, the likes of which we have probably not seen since the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

We view this as an opportunity to suggest specific recommendations that we believe will save lives and reduce economic impact in the event of pandemic. The following are four potentially major issues during a pandemic and actionable recommendations that the federal government can take to address those issues.

Potential Issue – Import/Export Movement -- Production of critical supplies may reside outside U.S. borders. The potential exists for foreign governments to nationalize these products previously designated for U.S. consumption. U.S. border restrictions may further impede their movement once supplies make it to U.S. ports.

· Action: First identify those products and services that will be considered critical and necessary for responding to or existing during an influenza pandemic. Then develop specific crisis trade policy agreements to ensure production and movement of these critical products and services, including pharmaceutical products (i.e., vaccines and drugs for the prevention and treatment of influenza as well as all other human and animal disease conditions) and protective infection control equipment, are not impeded. Develop prioritization of and special customs clearance processing for global imports and exports of critical supplies to ensure global supply chains remain viable.

Potential Issue – Identify Critical Business Infrastructure for Pandemic Response: Specific entities deemed as “Critical Infrastructure” have not yet been clearly defined.

• Action: Further define and identify business Critical Infrastructure to include specific manufacturers, service providers, vendors, and agencies in all tiers of the supply chain. Develop specific actions to protect Critical Infrastructure and the movement of critical supplies to areas where they are needed.

Potential Issue – Identify Role of Critical Infrastructure: Large Critical Infrastructure businesses are being asked to participate by several levels of government with very little consistency in requests and plans. In order for businesses to support federal, state and local response efforts, they need a better understanding of what they are expected to do. Planning has been pushed to the state and local levels, yet a consistent planning model has not been established, making it difficult for the private sector to support plans that are unclear and often contradictory.

• Action: Provide model state and local plans as examples to ensure consistency in response.

Potential Issue – Americans Overseas: There are a great number of U.S. citizens that work or travel overseas at any given time. In the event of a pandemic, measures need to be taken to protect and assist American citizens overseas, including facilitating their return to the United States.

• Action: The U.S. Department of State should be charged with developing plans to protect Americans overseas. As part of these plans, the State Department must also be prepared to assist U.S. citizens in their return to the United States. If such measures are not planned or the State Department determines it will not be able to aid American’s overseas, advanced warning must be given to those individuals so they are aware that the State Department will not be able to assist them in the event of a pandemic.

The PEC encourages the Administration to build on the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation by enhancing critical components. We believe the federal government will be held accountable for the plan to protect Americans, regardless of who is actually responsible. The federal government’s ability to provide clarity in response, ensure the availability and movement of critical supplies, and clearly communicate with the American people, will improve our country’s readiness in an otherwise chaotic situation.

The PEC stands ready to support these efforts and provide input and resources into the development of solutions.

Sincerely,

J.W. Marriott, Jr.

Chairman