It was back to work as usual for many Congressmen in D.C. Monday.
But for Congressmen from Mississippi and Georgia, they were returning to work in mourning, after lives were lost in the weekend’s deadly outbreak of tornadoes.
On the floor of the US House of Representatives, Mississippi Congressmen Thompson, Harper and Kelly joined with Congressman Palazzo and the members of the Georgia delegation in a moment of silence and statement honoring the Mississippians and Georgians who lost their lives over the weekend.
In Mississippi, the tornado Forrest, Franklin, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Perry, Pike, and Wilkinson counties, with the bulk of the damage in Petal and Hattiesburg.
Rep. Palazzo made the following statement on the House floor:
“Mr. Speaker, I come before this body tonight with my colleagues from Mississippi and Georgia to offer up our prayers for those whose lives were lost, whose homes were destroyed, and whose neighborhoods were shattered during this weekend’s tornadoes across the Southeast.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to our first responders, local law enforcement, and emergency personnel for their quick, courageous, and compassionate response in the aftermath of the storm.
And finally, I also want to say thank you to the citizens of Mississippi who rushed towards the sites of devastation–their generosity, bravery, and willingness to help their neighbors gives me hope that our community will rebuild again and be stronger than ever.
We will get through this difficult time together, confident in our ability to persevere through any trial, with neighbor helping neighbor, as we begin the difficult work of rebuilding our community following this terrible natural disaster. Thank you.”
Following statements from the Congressmen from Georgia, the body held a moment of silence to honor those who had lost their lives.
You can see that moment here:
