JACKSON – Congressman John Tanner said Thursday that the amount of devastation he has seen in the storm-damaged areas of West Tennessee is “stunning.”

“In addition to the tragic loss of life and the countless injuries sustained, many Tennesseans have experienced great property losses,” Tanner said after touring the tornado-damaged area with Governor Phil Bredesen and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “I encourage the President to move quickly to designate Tennessee as a disaster area so the families and businesses in our community can get the assistance they need to start rebuilding.”

Tanner represents Tennessee’s 8^th Congressional district in West and Middle Tennessee. A founding member of the fiscally responsible Blue Dog Democrats, he serves on the Ways and Means Committee, on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and as chairman of the U.S. House delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714