Cole: We Will Overcome and Rebuild
Cole: We Will Overcome and Rebuild
May 21, 2013
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement following Monday’s horrific tornado that destroyed neighborhoods, injured residents and left others missing or dead in his hometown of Moore, Oklahoma. The Congressman is a longtime resident of Moore, which is included in the Fourth District of Oklahoma.
“The tragedy that occurred yesterday in Oklahoma is breathtaking in its scope and heartbreaking in its impact. Even in this nightmare, the people of Oklahoma and my hometown of Moore will rise to the challenge, overcome and rebuild just as they have so often in the past.
“I appreciate the fact that the President reached out to me last night offering his and the First Lady’s prayers and sympathy. He informed me of the FEMA and NORCOM assets and resources that are available and assured me that a disaster declaration would be issued; that was done later in the evening. The President also assured me that if there were any problems or needs to call him directly. It was a generous and gracious gesture, and I know he meant it.
“I also want to thank Speaker of the House John Boehner, who reached out to offer his support and ordered that flags at the Capitol be lowered to half-mast as an expression of sympathy of all Americans for the people of Moore and the surrounding communities. My office has been deluged with expressions of sympathy and offers to help by literally dozens of my fellow House Members on both sides of the aisle. It reminds me that, in times of crisis, Americans of all parties and political points of view come together to help their fellow Americans. I saw it in the Oklahoma City bombing when I was Governor Keating’s Secretary of State and liaison to the federal government. I observed it during the great tornado of 1999, and I see it again today.
“I am very proud of Governor Mary Fallin and our Civil Emergency Director Albert Ashwood, who are leading our state with great skill and compassion in this challenging time. The quality of local leaders like Mayor Glenn Lewis and City Manager Steve Eddy is simply unsurpassed. They led us through the disaster of 1999, and they will do it again today.
“I appreciate the tireless efforts of our first responders from Moore and all the surrounding communities. They have proven their valor and skill in incident after incident, including the Oklahoma City Bombing and the great 1999 tornado that ripped through Moore and the Oklahoma City metro area. They are doing so again in this devastating disaster.
“In the days and weeks ahead, my staff and I, as well as my congressional colleagues from Oklahoma, will be doing everything we can to help those in need, comfort those who have lost family members and assist our local officials in getting the resources needed to recover and rebuild. I am confident we will get the help we need to make it through this tragedy; that is what Americans do for other Americans in tough times and challenging circumstances.
“Americans are the most resilient, most determined and most compassionate people in the world. As they have demonstrated throughout their proud history, the people of Oklahoma and my hometown of Moore have those qualities in spades. We will overcome this challenge, and I know our fellow Oklahomans and Americans will be there to help us every step of the way.”
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Contact: Sarah Corley 202.225.6165