[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 3 (Monday, January 25, 1999)]
[Pages 106-107]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Arrival at the White House

January 22, 1999

Tornado Damage in Arkansas

    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.

[[Page 107]]

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. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor Jim Dailey of Little Rock, 
AR. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these 
remarks.