WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and U.S. Representatives Jimmy Duncan (R-Tenn. 2), Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn. 4), Bart Gordon (D-Tenn. 6) and John Tanner (D-Tenn. 8) have joined Governor Phil Bredesen in requesting that President Obama issue a federal disaster declaration for four counties in Tennessee to help state and local governments recover costs for damages related to recent storms.

According to their letter to President Obama, "On April 10, 2009, high winds - including tornadoes - struck several counties in our state, causing significant damage in Rutherford, McMinn, Sequatchie and Benton Counties. These disasters have placed a significant burden on state and local governments because of recovery costs. Therefore, we respectfully request that you make assistance available to these counties in accordance with the Governor's request."