[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 18 (Thursday, January 29, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S1051]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           KENTUCKY ICE STORM

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, this week people all across Kentucky 
are dealing with the effects of a massive snow and ice storm that 
ravaged the entire Commonwealth on Tuesday. This storm has caused the 
worst power outage in Kentucky history--more than 600,000 are without 
power.
  This number is all the more devastating given that the previous 
record had been set only 4 months ago when the remnants of Hurricane 
Ike battered Kentucky last fall.
  The power outages cover the entire Bluegrass State and have caused 
enormous problems, as you can imagine. Many schools and businesses are 
closed. Many roads are blocked from downed trees or power lines. Most 
dangerous of all, some people are unable to heat their homes in this 
time of freezing temperatures.
  Given the severity of the storm, the Governor of Kentucky, Steve 
Beshear, rightly reached out to President Obama to request a Federal 
declaration that a major emergency exists. I also contacted the 
President to ask that he respond quickly to the Governor's request.
  I am pleased to say that the President did respond quickly and 
declared a Federal emergency in most of Kentucky. Doing that has 
triggered the release of urgently needed Federal authority and funds 
that will give the people of my State the help they desperately need.
  I want to thank the Governor for his quick and decisive action, as 
well as President Obama for his speedy response. It is making a real 
difference in the lives of Kentuckians as we speak.
  Governor Beshear and his team have been working day and night to 
ensure all parts of the State are getting the relief they need. Our 
offices have been in close contact since the storm, and I am proud of 
the leadership he is demonstrating.
  Most of all, I want to thank the many men and women across Kentucky 
who are working to aid their communities during this disaster.
  From the police and firefighters, to the first responders, the power 
company employees, the shelters taking in those without power, and the 
people knocking on doors to check on their neighbors, everyone is 
pitching in to make sure Kentucky makes it through this storm.
  And I am sure that we will. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to 
keep the citizens of Kentucky in their prayers during this difficult 
time.

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