From the office of N.C. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, R-Rockingham:
Berger, Tillis Appoint Tornado Damage Response Committee
Raleigh, N.C. – In the wake of tragic storms that swept through North Carolina and devastated many families, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and House Speaker Thom Tillis today appointed a joint select committee to respond to tornado damage and advise the General Assembly on possible legislative action.
The bipartisan committee is comprised of House and Senate members (listed below) from districts where a state of emergency was declared after historic tornadoes on April 16, which took many lives, destroyed countless homes and battered several cities and towns.
“The storms continue to affect many lives, homes and communities,” said Berger (R-Rockingham). “We will do all we can to help federal and state relief efforts, and help North Carolinians get their lives back.”
The committee will:
· Review legislation necessary to coordinate state and federal response to tornado damage.
· Receive briefings from all agencies involved in cleanup and restoration efforts.
· Assess damage and recovery efforts across the state.
· Report and recommend further legislative action to the General Assembly.
Sen. Louis Pate (R-Wayne) and Rep. Mike Stone (R-Lee) will serve as co-chairs.
“Given the devastation of April 16, a stepped-up response from the North Carolina legislature is the least we can do for the citizens affected by the storms,” said Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) “In fact, we need to search for more ways to provide assistance to the storm victims, and this committee will provide insight on how best to move forward with recovery efforts.”