[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 58 (Tuesday, May 3, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S2613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TORNADO SYSTEM DISASTER IN ALABAMA

  Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, I rise to thank my colleagues in the 
Senate and countless others across the country for their outpouring of 
support and offers of assistance to my State of Alabama in this time of 
need.
  On April 27--this last week--an unprecedented tornado system struck 
the State of Alabama, claiming hundreds of lives and destroying 
thousands of homes and businesses. At last count, 236 people in Alabama 
alone were dead, with thousands more injured and a lot missing. It will 
take many years and potentially billions of dollars for my State to 
fully recover from this catastrophic disaster.
  We have received calls from my fellow Senators, many of whom recently 
experienced destruction in their own States due to floods and deadly 
storms, with offers of help. To those who have reached out, I wish to 
offer my sincere gratitude on behalf of the people of Alabama. I also 
wish to thank President Obama and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for 
their swift response and commitment to restoring our State.
  Their words of encouragement to disaster victims during their visit 
to Alabama helped ease the grief burdening local families, and their 
work with Gov. Robert Bentley and Alabama Emergency Management Agency 
Director Art Faulkner has provided vital assistance during these 
difficult times. This continued level of Federal coordination is 
critical to ensuring that Alabama gets back on its feet as quickly as 
possible.
  I have never in my life seen such devastation to the extent I saw 
during my visit to my home State of Alabama recently. Giant oaks lie 
flattened and splintered. Homes throughout the State were demolished, 
leaving thousands homeless and reliant on the Red Cross, the Salvation 
Army, and others for shelter. At one point last week, over 1 million 
Alabama residents were without power--almost one-quarter of the State's 
population. It was gut-wrenching to walk through scattered rubble and 
realize it was once the site of someone's home or someone's business. 
The scale and the magnitude of destruction can only be described as 
hell on Earth.
  In our State, while larger cities such as Birmingham and Tuscaloosa--
my hometown--suffered extensive damage, so did other rural areas. 
Communities such as Pratt City, Pleasant Grove, Concord, Rainsville, 
Hackleburg, Cullman, and many others also incurred the wrath of the 
storm system and are now trying to assess the extent of their damage.
  In DeKalb, Marion and Franklin Counties alone, we have seen nearly 
100 deaths. Virtually every part of the State was touched by storms, 
and all of us were affected. The pain and loss that families are 
experiencing are still fresh. Many remain in shock.
  However, we must also recognize that Alabama was not the lone victim 
of the storm. As we continue our cleanup and recovery efforts, so do 
the people of Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Virginia, Louisiana, and 
Kentucky. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the affected States. 
We stand willing and able to assist you, as you have offered similar 
support to us.
  I want to reassure the people of Alabama and all the affected States 
that we will do everything we can on the Federal level to restore life 
as it was before. My staff and I are working with the State, FEMA, and 
the other Federal agencies to ensure as quick and efficient a recovery 
as possible.
  Thousands of Alabamians have opened their homes, donated supplies, 
made contributions, and rushed to help in any way they could. After 
witnessing the selfless generosity of complete strangers and the sheer 
resilience of those affected by the storms, I have never been more 
proud to call Alabama my home.
  It will take a lot of work and help from volunteers, but I am 
convinced that, together, we can overcome this terrible tragedy.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.

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