Expressing the sympathies and support of the House of Representatives for the individuals and institutions affected by the powerful tornados that struck communities in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee on February 5th, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 971) expressing the sympathies and support of the House of Representatives for the individuals and institutions affected by the powerful tornados that struck communities in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee on February 5, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Resolution 971.

Mr. Speaker, if it's appropriate, normally I would yield myself time now, but I would like to yield some time on the front end to Mr. Tanner from Tennessee because he has to be somewhere. So with the indulgence of the other side, I would like to first yield to Mr. Tanner for remarks.

Mr. Speaker, if I may go on with my remarks.

I rise to support House Resolution 971, which is a resolution to express sympathy and support for the individuals and institutions affected by the powerful tornados that swept through the Southeastern Conference States of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee just over 2 weeks ago.

Over 100 tornados landed, they killed over 50 people, destroyed hundreds of homes, schools and businesses, and left thousands of people without power. In true American spirit and resolve, hundreds of volunteers cared for the victims and provided shelter, food and clothing.

I express my heartfelt sympathy to all of our fellow citizens in the wake of Mother Nature's wrath, and to commend the men and women who serve this Nation as first responders, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who place themselves in great danger every day but did on this day as well to protect us and the people that were in harm's way. Our neighbors and friends deserve our sympathy and prayers, and the first responders deserve our deepest thanks and respect.

On the occasion of the day after the tornados, Congresswoman Blackburn joined me in Memphis, and we toured around Hickory Hills and met with some individuals, the mayors of Wharton and Harrington and other city officials in Memphis to make sure that the proper procedures were followed.

I talked to the FEMA Director, Mr. Paulison, and he assured me, and he's followed through on his promise that FEMA would do all they could to help the residents in Tennessee and in the other States as well.

I would like to commend President Bush for his quick response. He responded to Governor Bredeson's request to have Tennessee and other areas declared disaster areas, and that was done. And FEMA is on the ground, already issuing checks and helping people.

We've seen a great response from the Federal Government when it was needed, and we're looking for more response, which we're working on now, to provide to our people throughout that district.

I appreciate the gentlelady from Oklahoma (Ms. Fallin) indulging me and allowing Mr. Tanner to speak and make his important appointment.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as the gentleman from Pall Mall, Tennessee (Mr. Lincoln Davis) needs.

Mr. Speaker, no.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from Oklahoma for her management and Mr. Wamp, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Davis who spoke, and Mr. Gordon and Mr. Oberstar who provided statements.

Abraham Lincoln was a great supporter of government and knew that government could do things for people in need and was an important instrument of good in society. Abraham Lincoln might have best expressed it. In a crisis like this, we realize how important government can be when first responders come to the rescue and do jobs of heroic proportion.

Too many times when we are not faced with tragedies and catastrophic events, we don't reflect on the importance of government. And government is the policeman on the street. And it's the paramedic, and it's the firefighter. And it shouldn't just be on 9/11 or on days when you think about 9/11 or tornados you think about these people. But they are government, and they show government works, and they show government worked in this particular situation. It's still working as FEMA's helping people get compensation for their losses and seeing they have habitable places to live in and that the Small Business Administration is helping get businesses started.

Indeed, as Mr. Wamp and others said, it's the volunteer spirit that was shown by people in Tennessee and Alabama and Arkansas and throughout the South. They showed their care for their neighbors. There were people from Georgia and the Red Cross who came into Memphis to help people there.

I want to thank everybody who's helped all of the victims and thank Mr. Gordon for being the proud sponsor on this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that everybody join in voting for the passage of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I think Mahatma Gandhi once said that if all of the people who profess to be Christians would act like Jesus, the world would be at their feet. And I was reminded of that last week, because when we gathered Sunday morning for the Johnson Atchley Sunday School class at Red Bank Baptist Church where I go, ironically the lesson was on witnessing; and many times people consider ``witnessing'' as sharing the Gospel verbally. But we all know the most powerful witness that anybody can give of their faith and their commitment to the Lord is in what they do. And, man, did we ever see that again last week in Tennessee.

I have to tell of the people in Madison County who've been hit and hit and hit again over the last several years by tornados because one of the students at Union University, who was hurt very badly, is David Wilson, who happens to be a very, very close friend of my family. His parents are two of my wife's and my best friends, and he cotaught that Sunday school class with me at Red Bank Baptist Church for a number of years. His son was transported today from the hospital in Madison County across the street to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga where he will be continuing in recovery. But he was hurt critically, and he was underneath the rubble for 4 hours with other students at Union University.

I have got to tell you, the experience that the family saw there was a witness of their faith and their goodness. They not only had the basics of water and food and shelter, they found a home and they took care of them, but they went and got him eyeglasses and met every single need, and they made sure he was flown back to the hospital at home today and met every single need. And that's how people express their love for God is by sharing what they have with others, especially in a time of need.

Tennesseans are good people. And, man, when folks are hurting, everybody comes to help. We saw it again in Madison County. And on behalf of the Wilson family, I want to say from the other end of the State, thank you to the good people of that entire area where the tornados hit yet again. Thank you to Union University for meeting every need. Thank God none of the students died.

David Wilson has got a long, long road back to stand and walk again. We pray for the Wilsons. We pray for David. We pray and thank God for all the people who helped at this time of need. Just appreciate the goodness of the people of Tennessee who came out and helped in so many ways and all of those professionals that were there, it has been said.

And thanks to this delegation for pulling together yet again. And for the people who were hurt in other States and affected and for loss of life, our prayers went up. This is really what it's all about is people being there, because that's really all we are here for is to love God and to serve others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 971, and appreciate the efforts of Mr. Gordon to bring the resolution forward.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues have spoken about being on the ground and seeing firsthand the devastation and, of course, Congressman Tanner, Congressman Cohen and I all have counties that were affected by this.

We had nine counties that saw devastation and destruction with the impact of this EF-4 tornado. We had Shelby County, Fayette, McNairy, Hardin, Hickman, Perry, Wayne, Williamson, Montgomery County. Each saw devastation, destruction of property and loss of life.

Mr. Speaker, indeed, we extend our condolences to those families who have lost their lives, and to their loved ones who have seen that loss of life. And we also extend our condolences to those families who have lost their livelihood because, indeed, as has been stated, the destruction is unimaginable.

I have a poster right here from Sunday afternoon when we were in Hardin County at Sharon Baptist Church, which was a wonderful church and school. It was completely obliterated. All six buildings on the campus of that church were obliterated.

And while you see the destruction that is just unimaginable, what you also see is the rising of the human spirit and neighbors who are reaching out to help. I asked Dr. Spencer, who pastors that church, what next? How do they move forward? Because they had nothing left. They had a hymnal that was found two counties over, but other than that, nothing left.

And he said, well, tomorrow morning we start to rebuild. And tomorrow morning we're going to be pulling out the scrap metal, and we're going to be moving the rubble to the street. And tomorrow morning is a new day. And that is the spirit that we see of individuals pitching in, neighbors coming to help.

Now they've also been so well supported by FEMA, by Director Paulison, by TEMA, and the team that is on the ground, by our State and local elected officials who didn't sit around and wait for someone to say they're coming to take care of it. They took action and said, we're going to get this done. It has been a wonderful testament to the volunteer spirit of our great State of Tennessee.

I commend all of those who have served, who have shown up to help and again extend my condolences to those who have lost family members and have lost the means of their livelihood.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 971, introduced by Mr. Gordon of Tennessee. The resolution expresses the heartfelt sympathy of the House of Representatives for the victims of the devastating tornados that struck communities in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.

On February 5, 2008, more than 100 tornados devastated communities throughout the Mississippi Valley, resulting in the deadliest tornado outbreak in the United States in 20 years.

The tornados took the lives of 50 people, injured countless others, and damaged or destroyed more than 1,000 homes. Additionally, the tornados have left tens of thousands of residents in the Mississippi Valley without power.

In response to these deadly tornados, local, State and Federal officials and emergency personnel responded swiftly to preserve and protect human lives. Their selfless actions saved lives and helped their communities in their efforts to recover from the disaster.

This resolution is a fitting commendation of the courage and determination of local citizens, businesses and volunteer organizations following the disaster. They have shown their heroism and compassion for their fellow citizens while faced with such destruction.

The citizens of the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee will work hard to rebuild and to make every effort to ensure the recovery of their communities. In recognition of their efforts, this resolution reaffirms our support as they continue to rebuild their homes and their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to extend my heartfelt sympathy and my prayers to all those who have been affected by this tragedy and to their families. I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he would consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire of Congressman Cohen if he has got any more speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Memphis, and deeply appreciate your management today of this resolution that we are discussing here on the U.S. House floor.

The tornados and storms and winds that recently tore across the South wrought upon each of our States the tragedy of loss of lives and families being separated. By now all of us have seen the images of fallen trees and toppled homes and, one by one, Tennesseans and other Southerners affected by this disaster have begun the seemingly impossible task of piecing their lives together, clearing wreckage, mourning the lost, and recovering whatever the storm failed to claim.

Our planet, for all its blessings, chooses indiscriminately at times to affront our shores, plains, valleys and farmlands with terrible acts. I'm proud to say, though, as we face the worst of the forces we cannot control, we continue to see the best of the humanitarian spirit that is very much within our power to command.

In this time of need, volunteer associations from the United Way to the Red Cross helped bring aid and comfort to the affected. Within days of the tornados' passing, the Red Cross alone helped provide shelter, comfort and over 44,000 meals with the help of nearly 1,600 Red Cross staff and volunteers in Tennessee alone.

Our local sheriff's departments and volunteer fire departments, neighbors, friends, those from the farm next door or the neighbor next door that may not have lost their home gathered together to offer a shoulder of condolence, hope for the future, and concern and compassion for those affected.

It was not long ago that the people of New Orleans endured the worst of what can happen when we fail to act. And in the wake of the storms in Tennessee and the South, we have shown that we will never commit the sin of inaction again. This week and last, we have shown there is no tornado so powerful, no storm so terrible that the winds of compassion cannot restore and repair any damage brought upon us.

We rise today to honor the losses of those affected, to grieve for those who were so callously and abruptly taken from us that night, and we placed a renewal of our great country and our States in the wake of this storm.