President Barack Obama on Tuesday mourned the devastation suffered in Oklahoma after a deadly tornado swept through there while pledging to offer the state “all of the resources” necessary to rebuild.
“As a nation, our full focus right now is on the urgent work of rescue and the hard work of recovery and rebuilding that lies ahead,” Obama said in a televised statement from the White House.
Obama said he spoke to Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) on Monday and met Tuesday with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to discuss the situation. He said that FEMA activated search and rescue teams on Monday from Nebraska, Texas and Tennessee to assist in the search and rescue efforts.
“So for all those who have been affected, we recognize that you face a long road ahead,” Obama said in closing. “In some cases, there will be enormous grief that has to be absorbed but you will not travel that path alone. Your country will travel it with you fueled by our faith in the almighty and our faith in one another. So our prayers are with the people of Oklahoma today, and we will back up those prayers with deeds for as long as it takes.”
