Duncan Faircloth: “a week ago today, hurricane Fran devastated my home State of North Carolina. Last Thursday, after the last Senate vote…”

“a week ago today, hurricane Fran devastated my home State of North Carolina. Last Thursday, after the last Senate vote, I drove down to North Carolina and was there for the storm. I have viewed first hand much of the damage to my State. The damage has been far worse and more widespread than anyone would have imagined. Madam President, first, I want to congratulate the people of North Carolina for their handling of this storm. I have found that in times of crisis, the American people, like no other people in the world, rise to the occasion to tackle their own problems. The people deserved to be congratulated first and foremost. Second, Madam President, I want to thank the thousands of volunteers, national guardsmans and those from other States who are helping with our clean-up effort. And, I want to thank the public employees who are on the scene helping our State cope with this disaster. The storm has been devastating in the fact that it has left hundreds of thousands of people without electricity.”