Senate Resolution 1

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO THE VICTIMS OF THE VIOLENT TORNADO THAT STRUCK LOUISVILLE AND WINSTON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, ON APRIL 28, 2014.

WHEREAS, on Monday April 28, 2014, a powerful tornado with a rating of EF4 struck with unrelenting and violent force upon the City of Louisville and Winston County, Mississippi. In one day, the worst natural disaster in the history of Winston County left a grievous blow, leaving a swath of destruction and causing loss of life and severe damage throughout Central and North Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in all, 10 deaths were reported in and around the City of Louisville, Mississippi, from the powerful tornado. The identity of the persons lost to this storm who resided in Winston County are as follows:

· Ruth Bennett, 53, died at the day care center she operated in Louisville, Ruth's Childcare Center;

· Dora Triplett, 64, was found on Eiland Avenue in Louisville;

· Catherine Ferguson, 55, was found in the rural Community of Plattsburg southwest of Louisville;

· Gregory Jernigan, 60, was found at the Eiland Plaza Apartments in Louisville;

· Sarah Massey, 85, was found in Louisville;

· Jerry "Duck" Carter, 61, was found injured on Eiland Avenue and died later at the University of Mississippi Medical Center;

· Leonard Carter, 38, was found at the Eiland Plaza Apartments in Louisville;

· Terri Tucker, 31, was found in a wooded area a half mile from her destroyed home in Louisville;

· Sean Fowler, 44, was found in a wooded area a half mile from his destroyed home in Louisville;

· Tyler Tucker, 8, was found in a wooded area not far from where his parents were found; and

WHEREAS, we quickly learned that the immense power of this tornado had overwhelmed critical infrastructure, including electric power, telecommunications, water, roads and streets. With the serious immediate issues in Winston County and also in Central and North Mississippi, there are many counties and citizens which need support and assistance. Many volunteers have traveled to the impacted areas to offer assistance to those in distress and for the protection of property; and

WHEREAS, we are heartened to find that many survivors' first concern was helping friends and neighbors. This attitude brings pride to the Legislature. We must do what we can, with all that we have, to live our lives in a way that pays tribute to the memory of these brave citizens who have lost their lives to the awesome force of nature:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the most heartfelt sympathy and sorrow and prayers of the Mississippi Senate to the families of the victims of the violent tornado that struck Louisville and Winston County, Mississippi, on April 28, 2014, and to all of the people in all of the other counties in Mississippi aggrieved by the embrace of this disaster, and we do hereby pledge that we shall do all humanly possible with all means at our disposal to ease their loss and assist them to arise from the destruction and restore themselves and their communities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving families of these victims, forwarded to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Louisville, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.