The transcipt follows below:

“Hi, I’m Senator Jim Inhofe from the State of Oklahoma.

“Let me begin by telling those who lost loved ones during the tragic tornadoes in our state how much we love you guys. My family and I continue to pray for you. We pray for you every day.

“I’ve been in constant contact, in communication, with the Oklahoma Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management officials, and the Leaders of the Oklahoma National Guard – you can see over here – that the direct needs of those affected on the ground are being met. Oklahoma has been hit hard, but we’re not knocked out.

“Fourteen years ago, on May 3, 1999, an eerily similar tornado struck the same area of Moore, Oklahoma, and again in 2003. The images and the stories from the storm earlier this week are nothing new. Oklahoma will persevere and overcome this tragedy as we have demonstrated in the past.

“After the Oklahoma City bombing — we all remember that in 1995 — people saw the many ways Oklahomans took care of each other, from running toward the bombing instead of running away, to donating their blood, and their time and their money.

“This daily display of neighbors helping neighbors became known as the Oklahoma Standard. After each disaster the people of Oklahoma face, the Standard is exhibited again and again. In the aftermath of the Moore tornado we are witnesses once again to the Oklahoma Standard.

“The accounts of two elementary schools that were wiped out by the winds of 200 miles an hour have struck a chord, I think with all Americans – with everyone watching us now — all Americans across the country. It was the last day of school for most of the students — you know how excited they get — when the storm tore through the town of Moore, leaving little in its path. We’re beginning to hear about the selfless acts Oklahomans demonstrated to ensure the safety and protection of their fellow neighbors, and their friends, and their students. Second-grade teacher Tammy Glasgow kept praying with her students and reminding them how much she loved them as she and her students took cover in a school closet; We had Suzanna Haley, she was a first-grade special education teacher in Briarwood Elementary School, suffered a severe injury when part of a school desk was impaled in the back of her leg while protecting the students in her classroom. The most heart-wrenching testimony I’ve heard is from the person who was responsible for matching the missing kids with the missing parents.

“The individuals who lived through these storms are volunteering in the recovery and assisting efforts right now, and they’re America’s real heroes.

“I have seen people from all corners of the state continuing to flock to the devastating areas to give their time, their money, and their energy to help meet the dire needs of those injured or displaced. The Oklahoma Standard has survived an act of terror in 1995 and devastating natural disasters in the past. This most recent storm will only embolden the standard, and encourage the rest of the country to follow our lead.

“But our victims desperately need your help right now, they need your money. If you are able, please visit the American Red Cross website at AmericanRedCross.com or the Salvation Army website at SalvationArmyUSA.com to volunteer.

“I can speak for all Oklahoma today when I thank you for your continued thoughts, your prayers, your support as we begin the recovery process. Oklahoma is grieving and in pain, but the devastation such as this tends to bring us closer together as a country.

“I thank you for listening and God bless those who are suffering today and God bless the United States of America.”

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_ More than 400 federal personnel were on the ground in the impacted area, including teams that are working directly with families and individuals who were affected by the tornadoes.

_ More 2,200 individuals impacted by the tornadoes had registered with FEMA for direct assistance available through the major disaster declaration provided by President Barack Obama on Monday night.

_ Since Monday night, the national Urban Search and Rescue teams completed searches of more than 1,200 structures in the affected area.

_ More than 127,000 liters of water and 30,000 meals have been delivered to the state to support response efforts. FEMA and federal partners have established an Incident Support Base to stage commodities.

The President will continue to receive updates today on the response efforts, and on Sunday the President will travel to the Oklahoma City area to see firsthand the response to the devastating tornadoes, visit with impacted families, and thank first responders.

“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.

“Our hearts go out to Oklahoma and to Representative Tom Cole, whose district has been devastated by this latest catastrophe. I recall how Tom Cole stood tall and voted for providing direct relief for Hurricane Sandy when it was not popular within his own Conference. He did what Americans do – rise to the aid of their fellow citizens.

“As the search and rescue efforts valiantly continue, let us not just offer our prayers, as needed and as welcome as they are; let us act as united citizens and send with all due speed the relief that the people of Oklahoma so desperately need.

“Disasters and tragedy should never be about ideology, politics or geographic locale; when Americans are in need of help, the Congress needs to respond. That is who we are as a people; that’s what makes us a more perfect union. Any American befallen by tragedy or natural disaster needs the assistance of its nation and fellow Americans.”

“Let us act now before we leave this week on a long recess. Oklahoma citizens struck by this disaster do not have the luxury to wait. Let us put politics and ideology aside and act on behalf of the American people.”

“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. The images of devastation in the tornado’s wake are unthinkable; the wide-reaching impact on the children of Moore and throughout the area is heart-breaking and unimaginable.

“As rescue workers continue the search for survivors, Members of Congress stand ready to do what we can to support the communities in Oklahoma, the first responders, and state and local government in their efforts to recover, respond, and rebuild.”

“This morning I spoke with Oklahoma Emergency Management Director Albert Ashwood, Major General Myles Deering of the Oklahoma National Guard, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. State and Federal agencies are working together to coordinate the search and rescue efforts. The congressional delegation and I will join Governor Mary Fallin, local leaders, and FEMA officials this afternoon to ensure that resources are best used to help all those in need.”