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                          THE WHITE HOUSE
                   OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
   ____________________________________________________________
   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     November 28, 1994

STATEMENT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Severe weather including six tornadoes swept across Western Tennessee yesterday, killing at least three people, injuring many others, destroying dozens of homes and buildings and damaging many others. Sixteen people who gathered for a Thanksgiving family reunion at a home in Germantown were the victims of one tornado. Elsewhere in the city, Houston High School and a church were destroyed. Northeast of Memphis, in Friendship, an elderly woman died when a tornado hit her home. Several people are still missing, and thousands of others were without power Monday morning.

Because of the magnitude of the damage, President Clinton has directed James Lee Witt, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to work closely with the state to assess damages and assist in developing its recovery strategy. During this difficult time, both Tipper and I join the President and the First Lady in praying for the victims and their families. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them, and with all those who have suffered because of the storms, throughout this holiday season.

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