On March 24th, 2009, I wrote my Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois a letter regarding Bush's declaration of national emergency on September 14th, 2001.

Bush re-declared this State of Emergency 7 times, most recently on August 28th, 2008:

Notice: Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Certain Terrorist Attacks

Consistent with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C.), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency I declared on September 14, 2001, in Proclamation 7463, with respect to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, New York, New York, the Pentagon, and aboard United Airlines flight 93, and the continuing and immediate threat of further attacks on the United States.

Because the terrorist threat continues, the national emergency declared on September 14, 2001, and the powers and authorities adopted to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond September 14, 2008. Therefore, I am continuing in effect for an additional year the national emergency I declared on September 14, 2001, with respect to the terrorist threat.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 28, 2008.

PLEASE NOTE: "...and the powers and authorities adopted to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond September 14th, 2008."

In my letter, I ask Senator Durbin two questions:

1. Will President Obama allow the state of national emergency, first declared by President George W. Bush on 9/14/01 and re-declared seven times, to remain in effect?

2. Will Congress meet their statutory responsibilities under Section 1622(b) of the National Emergencies Act, and meet to determine whether that emergency shall be terminated?

On July 1st, 2009, I received a response from Senator Durbin.

In the response, Durbin states: "Your suggestions are thoughtful and deserve further consideration."