PROCLAMATION 6491—OCT. 14, 1992 107 STAT. 2559 Proclamation 6491 of October 14, 1992 To Suspend the Davis-Bacon Act of March 3, 1931, Within a Limited Geographic Area in Response to the National Emergency Caused by Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation 1. Section 1 of the Davis-Bacon Act of March 3, 1931 (46 Stat. 1494, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 276a(a)), provides: ... every contract in excess of $2,000 to which the United States or the District of Columbia is a party, for construction, alv teration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating, of public buildings or public works of the United States or the District of Columbia within the geographical limits of the States of the Union or the District of Colvimbia, and which requires or involves the employment of mechanics and/or laborers shall contain a provision stating the minimum wages to be paid various classes of laborers and mechanics which shall be based upon the wages that will be determined by the Secretary of Labor to be prevailing for the corresponding classes of laborers and mechanics employed on projects of a character similar to the contract work in the city, town, village, or other civil subdivision of the State in which the work is to be performed, or in the District of Colimibia if the work is to be performed there.... 2. Under various other related acts, the payment of wages is made dependent upon determinations by the Secretary of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act. 3. Section 6 of the Davis-Bacon Act, 40 U.S.C. 276a-5, provides that "In the event of a national emergency the President is authorized to suspend the provisions of sections 276a to 276a-5 of this title." 4. Within less than the period of a month, three vital areas of the Nation have been devastated by hurricanes. In late August, South Florida and sections of Louisiana experienced the full force of Hvirricane Andrew, one of the severest hurricanes ever to strike the United States. The devastation that ensued resulted in the largest amount of property damage from a natural disaster in the history of the Nation. Tens of thousands of homes were destroyed, thousands of business establishments were badly damaged, and the public infrastructure of much of Dade County was severely damaged. Chi September 12, an equally ferocious hurricane struck the Hawaiian Islands. As a result of Hurricane Iniki, hundreds of homes were destroyed, the tourist industry on the island of Kauai was devastated, and much of the island's infrastructure was severely damaged. The combined impact of these hurricanes has resulted in an unprecedented level of devastation. The economic effects of the hurricanes have been equally devastating. Many businesses have been either destroyed or significantly damaged. Thousands of individuals have lost their jobs and livelihood. In addition, a record amount of Federal assistance will be needed to restore
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