Douglas Alexander: “last night, severe tornadoes and strong storms swept through west Tennessee. Dyer and Gibson Counties were the hardest…”

“last night, severe tornadoes and strong storms swept through west Tennessee. Dyer and Gibson Counties were the hardest hit. According to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, at least 23 individuals lost their lives in just those two counties. One of those killed was Jane King of Newbern, TN. She was a relative of Congressman John Tanner, and our thoughts are with John and Betty Ann Tanner and all of Jane King's family. At least 70 people have been injured as a result of the storms. TEMA expects that number to rise. There is damage to at least 11 other counties in west Tennessee. Thousands of Tennesseans have lost their homes and their livelihoods. TEMA reports that 1,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed in the town of Bradford alone. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency officials are on the ground in the counties affected. They are helping to survey damage. They are offering assistance. A state of emergency is in effect. The biggest need thus far is to get the roads clear. GEN Gus Hargett has assigned 30 members of the 230th Engineer Battalion of the Tennessee National Guard to assist with debris removal. The Dyersburg Armory is being used as a Red Cross processing site. This afternoon, Senator Frist and I sent a letter to President Bush asking for speedy review and approval of the State's request for Federal disaster assistance. I ask unanimous consent that letter be printed in the Record.…”