May 4, 2010

Members Outline State's Response in Letter to President

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2010 - Tennessee's entire Congressional delegation has asked the President to approve Governor Phil Bredesen's request for disaster relief following weekend storms and flooding in Tennessee.

"We are writing to express our support for Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen's request for disaster relief for 52 counties hit hard by recent storms in Tennessee," the state's U.S. Senate and U.S. House Members wrote in their May 4 letter to President Obama.

The delegation outlined the diligent work of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) in coordinating state agencies' response to help families and businesses impacted by the storms and flooding that began April 30.

The letter is signed by Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker and Congressmen Marsha Blackburn, Steve Cohen, Jim Cooper, Lincoln Davis, John Duncan, Bart Gordon, Phil Roe, John Tanner and Zach Wamp.

"As these disasters have placed a significant financial burden on the State, local government and individuals impacted, the state of Tennessee is requesting joint FEMA-State Preliminary Damage Assessments be conducted as soon as waters have receded enough to make reasonable determinations," the delegation wrote.

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The full text of the letter follows:

May 4, 2010

The Honorable Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.  20500

Dear Mr. President,

We are writing to express our support for Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen's request for disaster relief for 52 counties hit hard by recent storms in Tennessee.  Beginning Friday, April 30, 2010, and continuing through the weekend, severe storms, tornadoes and flooding struck numerous counties in our state causing significant damages. 

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) officials have worked diligently to coordinate the state's response to this tragedy.  Governor Bredesen is employing significant resources from several of the state's departments, including TEMA, Department of Environment and Conservation, Department of Health, Department of Human Service, Department of Transportation, Department of Safety, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and Civil Air Patrol to provide support and relief for the impacted areas.

Public Assistance will also be requested in all categories, including Individual Assistance - Individuals and Households Program (IHP); Disaster Unemployment Assistance; Crisis Counseling; Disaster Food Stamp Program; American Bar Association Young Lawyers Legal Aid; and Small Business Administration disaster loans. 

As these disasters have placed a significant financial burden on the State, local government and individuals impacted, the state of Tennessee is requesting joint FEMA-State Preliminary Damage Assessments be conducted as soon as waters have receded enough to make reasonable determinations. 

Thank you for your consideration of this request for relief for Tennesseans suffering from these events.  Please contact our offices if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Lamar Alexander, United States Senator
Bob Corker, United States Senator
Jim Cooper, Member of Congress
Bart Gordon, Member of Congress
John Duncan, Member of Congress
John Tanner, Member of Congress
Zach Wamp, Member of Congress
Marsha Blackburn, Member of Congress
Lincoln Davis, Member of Congress
Steve Cohen, Member of Congress
Phil Roe, Member of Congress