[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6622-6623]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              STORM AND DISASTER RELIEF IN NORTH CAROLINA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Mrs. Ellmers) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. ELLMERS. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago on Saturday, April 16, North 
Carolina was struck with vicious tornadoes that caused unprecedented 
destruction and despair throughout the State and in my district. The 
loss of property will take years to rebuild, but the lives that were 
lost can never be replaced. In an instant, lives were cut

[[Page 6623]]

short, leaving families with a gaping hole that can never be filled. 
With over 24 deaths throughout the State, this tragedy has touched each 
of us on a personal level.
  Our district was hit especially hard with six of our 10 counties 
affected, but thanks to the resources provided by President Obama's 
emergency declaration and officials at FEMA, we have been able to turn 
this tragedy into a swift recovery.
  On behalf of all North Carolinians, I would like to thank the 
officials at FEMA, the American Red Cross, the Small Business 
Administration, and emergency first responders for taking swift action 
and providing our district with supplies, funding, and on-the-spot 
guidance for victims.
  While we still have a tough road ahead, our district can take heart 
in the fact that every step is being taken to ensure that help will 
reach everyone affected and in a swift and efficient manner. I hope 
that all Americans will keep the residents and families of North 
Carolina and those families in Alabama and the other States that have 
been so terribly affected in their prayers as we continue to work in 
the rescue effort going forward.
  Thank you. God bless America.

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