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February 14, 2008
TANNER PRAISES TORNADO
RESPONSE ON HOUSE FLOOR
House Passes Resolution Supporting Affected Tennesseans
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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives has agreed to a resolution supporting the families who have been impacted by the Feb. 5 tornadoes in Tennessee and other states, Congressman John Tanner reported.
The purpose of H. Res. 971, which was approved by a voice vote Wednesday, is “expressing the sympathies and support of the U.S. House of Representatives for the individuals and institutions affected by the powerful tornadoes that struck communities in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee on February 5, 2008.” The resolution was sponsored by Tennessee Congressman Bart Gordon and introduced on the House floor by Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen.
Following are Congressman John Tanner’s remarks on the floor Wednesday in support of the resolution.
“Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the Federal response to the tornadoes that occurred in Tennessee. I left here early last week and went down to my district in west and middle Tennessee to view, with the Governor of our State and others, the tremendous damage that was done, the loss of life that occurred. And I want to say that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of FEMA were there as I got there last Thursday morning.
“And as we toured in Tennessee, most of the damage that we saw occurred near Jackson, Tennessee – where our daughter, our two grandchildren and son-in-law live – at a place called Union University. President David Dockery met us there that Thursday morning, and I can only describe the devastation to Union, the dorms and so on as horrendous; and also conclude that it was a miracle that there was no more bodily injury or loss of life than occurred at Union.
“But the other thing, other than the Secretary and the Director of FEMA being there was, in the aftermath of these tragedies like we've seen – and this is the fourth tornado that has basically hit Jackson, Madison County, Tennessee, since 1999 – the outpouring of help from friends, neighbors and others there gives one a great sense of resolve and gives one the magnanimous feeling of the human spirit rising out of the ashes of these tremendous natural disasters.
“Let me just make the observation that we appreciate the quick response of the Federal Government, the State government, all of the FEMA people there, but particularly to the friends, neighbors and my constituents, of those who were injured, who lost everything, their houses gone, it is truly a blessing to see people come together, even under tragic circumstances.
“I want to commend Mr. Cohen for bringing this. It hit Memphis, also, as well as middle Tennessee and the other States. But let me just simply add my congratulations to those who brought this resolution, and my thanks to those for the recognition of so many who are doing so much at this time to help those who have suffered so much.”
Tanner represents Tennessee’s 8th 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
