A Portion of Senator James Lankford’s Newsletter
Dear Oklahoma friends and neighbors:
It has been a long few weeks of weather for Oklahoma families, meteorologists, first responders, and emergency management personnel after spring storms, tornadoes, and flooding have hit us and the Midwest especially hard this year. My staff and I remain very engaged with local, state, and federal officials to get people and communities the support they need to recover. Cindy and I continue to pray for those affected and for the brave first responders helping people evacuate flooded areas and rescuing Green Country residents as they are affected by flooding and storms.
Oklahoma’s process to apply for federal disaster assistance is ongoing. In the meantime the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management asks affected residents to report damage to their property at damage.ok.gov or call 2-1-1 from anywhere in the state.
On May 23, the Senate passed and I voted for the disaster supplemental funding bill, which included funding for ongoing disasters affecting Oklahoma and the Midwest. Additionally, the bill included an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program. The bill has not yet passed the House, but I look forward to its consideration in the days ahead.
Predominantly, local and state resources respond in disasters, but there is also a federal component, especially FEMA assistance and flood management through the US Army Corps of Engineers. I remain engaged with FEMA and the Corps personnel on the ground and will continue to receive regular updates on the status of the dam and levee system. I will also directly push for a clear after-action review concerning all federal responses to flooding in Oklahoma.
In addition to our ongoing weather concerns, May is Military Appreciation Month, and I hope that Oklahomans took time with family and friends on Memorial Day to remember those who bravely fought and died for our nation in order to protect our freedoms and way of life. I recently spoke on the Senate floor in support of our active duty military, veterans, and their families.
As Oklahomans continue to reel from flooding and storm damage, I also want to draw your attention to today’s anniversary of another type of disaster: the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. As many as 300 black Tulsans were killed and 1,200 structures were destroyed from May 31, 1921 – June 1, 1921, in a devastating race massacre that destroyed the entire Greenwood District of North Tulsa, formerly known as Black Wall Street. This day is a terrible stain on Oklahoma’s past, but it is also a day to remember and learn from our history. To learn more about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
In God We Trust,
James Lankford
United States Senator for Oklahoma
I enjoyed spending time with the Stigler High School band while they visited DC. Proud of this young group of students!
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