Alexander pleased with declaration

Posted: Thursday, March 22, 2012 10:57 am

Nashville – U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) Monday released the following statement on President Obama’s issuance of a “major disaster” declaration for the state of Tennessee, which triggered the release of federal funds to help individuals recover from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred in Bradley, Claiborne, Cumberland, DeKalb, Hamilton, Jackson, McMinn, Monroe, Overton, and Polk counties from Feb. 29 to March 2:
“I’m pleased that the president responded so quickly to the governor’s request, and our support of that request, by issuing a major disaster declaration for these counties in Tennessee.
“This federal support won’t make anyone whole, but it will help people and businesses get back on their feet.”  
On March 15, Sens. Alexander and Corker and Reps. Duncan, DesJarlais, Black and Fleischmann sent the following letter to the president in support of Haslam’s request that the president declare a major disaster in Tennessee:
Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of the State of Tennessee, we respectfully request that you declare a major disaster pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act due to the severe storms, straight line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began on the morning of Feb. 29 through March 2, 2012.
Gov. Bill Haslam has submitted a request for Individual Assistance for Bradley, Claiborne, Cumberland, Dekalb, Hamilton, Jackson, McMinn, Monroe, Overton and Polk counties, as well as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance statewide.
We strongly urge you to approve Governor Haslam’s request, and we hope you will consider our State’s request as soon as possible.

WCP 3.20.12