[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 214 (Monday, December 13, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9101-S9102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                Kentucky

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, the tornadoes that hit Kentucky this 
past weekend were some of the most widespread, severe, and devastating 
in our State's history.
  It is still difficult to comprehend the vast scope of the storm. 
Nearly 40 tornadoes touched down across 6 States. One tornado in 
Kentucky stayed on the ground for over 200 miles--200 miles. This was 
potentially the longest continuous path of any tornado in U.S. history.
  Towns have been reduced to rubble. Families are picking up pieces of 
their shattered lives. Most tragically, our Governor announced today 
that more than 60 Kentuckians are confirmed to have lost their lives. 
Many more remain unaccounted for.
  This is the worst storm to hit Kentucky in my lifetime. The tornadoes 
have caused considerable damage in 15 counties all across the 
Commonwealth. Thousands lost their homes. Tens of thousands are still 
without power. This was, in the words of one meteorologist, ``the 
worst-case scenario'' for destruction. And it came during the Christmas 
season. Families are supposed to be gathering soon for rest, 
relaxation, and reunion. Now, so many Kentuckians are facing exactly 
the opposite.
  The whole country is becoming acquainted with Mayfield, KY, likely 
our hardest hit city. Mayfield is a town of 10,000 in the Jackson 
Purchase. It has been known for the beautiful Greek Revival facade of 
the Mayfield First United Methodist Church. Now, First United is 
completely gone, and the town is literally leveled to the ground.
  Mayfield's candle factory was operating in full swing this weekend to 
keep up with the Christmas demand. It was once a mainstay of the 
community, employing hundreds. On Friday night, the factory was turned 
into a scene of absolute horror. Many of the employees who were working 
that evening are feared dead. Rescue operations are ongoing. At least 
40 employees were rescued initially. One was saved after being trapped 
under 5 feet of rubble for hours. The devastation there is absolute.
  The tornado was so powerful that it ripped 27 train cars off their 
tracks in Earlington and scattered them across a field. A family 
photograph that was picked up by the storm in Dawson Springs, KY, was 
carried nearly 130 miles by the wind and discovered over in Indiana.
  All across Western Kentucky, residents spent their Saturday and 
Sunday clearing debris and collecting clothes and possessions that had 
been scattered. Families were left to inspect the cinderblocks where 
their houses once stood. The cheery lights of Christmastime have been 
replaced by absolute destruction.
  Kentucky has been devastated, but we have not been defeated. 
Kentuckians are resilient people who will stay strong and united 
through the crisis.
  I am incredibly grateful to the first responders who have been on the

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ground since the outset: Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky State 
Police, sheriff's departments, city and local law enforcement, EMS 
responders, firefighters, doctors, and nurses. Quick thinking and 
selfless action saved lives.
  Hard-hit communities are receiving an outpouring of support from 
across the Commonwealth as well as around the country. Americans near 
and far are coming together to donate food, blood, resources, and 
shelter to those in need. Businesses and individuals have helped fund 
relief efforts and donated to assist the storm's victims.
  Like many of my fellow Kentuckians, I was incredibly touched by the 
support offered by the University of Kentucky basketball team this past 
weekend. While visiting the University of Notre Dame, they led a deeply 
emotional moment of silence before their game on Saturday night. The 
team visited the school's grotto to light candles for storm victims and 
to pray for recovery. We are all praying alongside them.
  Kentucky's State motto is ``United we stand, divided we fall.'' In 
this time of crisis, Kentuckians are standing shoulder to shoulder, and 
we will not fail. At every level of local, State, and Federal 
Government across both political parties, Kentucky's leaders have come 
together to coordinate and to provide aid.
  Toward the end of the week, I will travel back to Kentucky to meet 
with my constituents and visit the areas affected by the storm. My team 
has been working nonstop to ensure Kentuckians receive the help that 
they need.
  I have worked closely with President Biden and Governor Beshear to 
ensure every Federal resource possible is deployed to our State. 
Kentucky's congressional delegation has come together to send multiple 
letters to the President in support of disaster relief. In response, 
President Biden cut through the redtape to approve our requests at an 
accelerated pace, providing the rapid support we need to recover.
  I am especially grateful for the work of DHS Secretary Mayorkas and 
FEMA Administrator Criswell, who visited Kentucky yesterday to survey 
damage and to help relief efforts. FEMA has already sent two incident 
management teams, an urban search and rescue team, and an Army Corps 
temporary power team. They have turned Kentucky's Fort Campbell into a 
staging ground for vital relief and supplies. I could not be more 
grateful for their swift and decisive response to this crisis.
  Even in the face of such tragedy, we can be confident that Kentucky 
will bounce back. We are strong; we are united; and we will come back 
bigger and better than ever before.