Sen. Tom Coburn Has High Praise for State, Federal Emergency Relief Officials
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, had high praise Thursday for the emergency management agency officials working on tornado relief efforts in Oklahoma this week.
Coburn gave his highest praise to Albert Ashwood, director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
“They’re just on top of the game,” Coburn said of Ashwood, who is also from Muskogee, and his agency.
Coburn, who toured the devastation in Moore on Tuesday, also praised Gov. Mary Fallin and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.
“FEMA has done a great job,” Coburn said, adding that storm victims will be getting payments quickly to help with housing and other basic needs.…
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Oklahomans Vote to Approve Keystone XL Northern Pipeline Construction
The Republican-controlled U.S. House voted 241-175 on Wednesday to require the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Nebraska. The vote was symbolic since the U.S. Senate, controlled by Democrats, is not likely going to consider the House bill. The U.S. State Department is currently analyzing TransCanada’s proposal to build the pipeline, and it’s not known when a decision will be announced.
Four of Oklahoma’s five U.S. House members voted for the bill on Wednesday. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, whose district was devastated by a tornado on Monday, was back in Oklahoma and could not vote but expressed support for the legislation.…
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Moore Post Office Update: How to Get Your Mail
From the U.S. Postal Service:
The violent tornadoes that roared through Oklahoma over a three day period sadly resulted in the loss of lives, property and impacted mail service in the delivery areas of Carney, Luther, Shawnee, Newcastle, and Oklahoma City Moore and Santa Fe Stations.
The Moore OK Post Office Branch, servicing ZIP Codes 73153 and 73160 sustained heavy damage and has temporarily relocated operations.
The letter carriers are temporarily housed at the Airport Finance Unit located at 6500 Air Cargo Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73195.…
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Senate Moment of Silence for Oklahoma Tornado Victims
From C-SPAN:
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Connecticut Congressman: Approve Tornado Aid Before Memorial Day Break
Rep. John Larson, D-CT, gave a speech on the House floor Tuesday morning calling on Congress to approve aid for Oklahoma tornado victims before lawmakers leave for a week-long Memorial Day break.
“As a member from Connecticut, a state that recently endured the destruction of a hurricane, the tragedy of the slaughter of innocents in Newtown and, most recently, a train wreck this past weekend, we know that tragedy and natural disaster can befall any part of the country at any time,” Larson said.…
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House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Remarks on Tornado Destruction
U.S. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, of California, delivered emotional remarks on the House floor Tuesday morning about the tornado destruction in Oklahoma and released this statement:
“Our thoughts and prayers rest with the people of Oklahoma today, with the families and loved ones of those killed in this natural disaster, with the men and women injured in the tornado and now beginning the path to recovery.
“This week’s storm left a town destroyed, homes decimated, lives changed and altered forever.…
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U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe Comments on Oklahoma Disaster
“May the Lord be with those who lost family members and friends during the tragic tornadoes that destroyed and took many lives in Oklahoma over the past two days,” Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, said Tuesday.
“Oklahomans will persevere as we have done in the face of tragedy and loss in the past, but we will never forget the young school children and the countless others who lost their lives in these horrific storms. Kay and I will continue to pray for everyone in Oklahoma and throughout the Midwest who are suffering.…
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Video: Oklahoma Republicans, House GOP Leaders Talk About Tornado
Here is video from the U.S. House Republican leadership news conference on the tragic storms in Oklahoma. Reps. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, and Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, are the first speakers.
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Rep. Frank Lucas: Challenges Will Continue for Weeks
U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, made the following remarks this morning at a press conference with House Republican leaders:
“The magnitude of the challenges that our fellow Oklahomans face back home will continue for several days and several weeks _ not just the hope of the next few hours and days perhaps of finding someone underneath those rubble piles alive, but the process of recovering those who did not make it, the challenges the communities will face in rebuilding, that families will go through as they begin to lay their loved ones to rest who’ve been lost.…
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Sen. Tom Coburn: All Available Aid Without Delay for Oklahomans
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, released the following statement Tuesday about Oklahoma tornadoes:
“Oklahomans have always inspired the nation with their courage, compassion and resilience in the face of unspeakable tragedy and loss. That has already been the case in the few hours since these terrible tornadoes destroyed major parts of our communities, and will be the case as neighbors care for those who have lost everything, including children and family members.
“I spoke with Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano last night about FEMA’s response.…
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