    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [January 22, 1999]
    [Page 89]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 89]]

    Remarks on the Arkansas Tornado Damage
    January 22, 1999

        Good morning. I was very sad to learn of the terrible losses
    suffered by the people of Arkansas as tornadoes swept through Little
    Rock, North Little Rock, and 16 other counties in my home State last
    night.
        As you know, there has been considerable loss of life, and we are
    still getting reports. The fact that the Governor's Mansion, where
    Hillary and I raised Chelsea for 12 years, was actually in the path of
    the storm made it all the more real to me.
        Director Witt has just briefed me on the
    damage. He and I have faced challenges like this before at home because
    Arkansas gets so very many tornadoes. And we are deeply committed to
    doing everything we can to help the people there recover.
        I have been in touch with the mayor of Little
    Rock this morning and expect to talk to more of the officials as the day
    goes on. We will be working with them to get whatever appropriate
    assistance is required. And our thoughts and prayers are with them. And
    I expect to get further briefing from Mr. Witt to determine what, if anything else, we should do.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 11 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House, upon returning from the National Academy of Sciences. In his
    remarks, he referred to Mayor Jim Dailey of Little Rock, AR.