[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5984]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS OF THE APRIL TORNADOES

                                 ______
                                 

                 HON. CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2012

  Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the victims of 
the April tornadoes, which killed 33 people in East Tennessee and over 
300 nationwide. On April 27th, a tornado touched down in Ringgold, 
Georgia before traveling to Hamilton County and damaging the town of 
Apison. From there, the storm moved on to Cleveland, devastating homes 
and killing 5 people before going to Polk County and finally 
scattering. Similar storms were reported throughout the southern and 
Midwestern United States.
  As I toured the damage and volunteered the following days, I couldn't 
help but be heartbroken by the devastation. Power lines were torn down 
by trees, leaving thousands without electricity, and homes had been 
reduced to piles of debris. Thirty-three Tennesseans were killed in the 
storms.
  And yet, people pulled through. Everywhere I went I saw neighbor 
helping neighbor, and total strangers giving each other food and 
clothing. Our churches, charities, and neighborhood organizations came 
out in force to help out. These were the small miracles everyday as we 
rebuilt. Nature dished out her worst, and the people of Tennessee 
responded with their best.
  On this day I join my fellow East Tennesseans in praying for the 
victims of the tornadoes and honoring the memories of those that lost 
their lives.

                          ____________________