Tornado Victims

[Scott Brown]

This morning I spent a few hours in Springfield with victims of the tornadoes that have devastated parts of our state.

After speaking with displaced families staying at Central High School in Springfield I joined up with relief workers from the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army and headed out to some neighborhoods that were hard hit. We stopped a number of times to drop off hot breakfast and supplies to folks whose lives have been absolutely turned upside down.

We've all seen the pictures of the destruction on TV and in the paper, but I've got to tell you it is even more shocking in person. The scale of the damage is unimaginable.

But in the face of all the hardship people have banded together in a way that makes me incredibly proud to be from Massachusetts. Residents checking in on their neighbors, delivering food to those without power, helping each other dig out from the debris that makes roads and driveways impassable. These are just some of the scenes that I saw this morning and they are being repeated across the state wherever someone needs a helping hand to take that first step in rebuilding a life.

Getting back to normal after being hit by storms of such incredible power is going to take some time. It's important that people know that the needs of these communities are still great and I encourage people, as I have, to give as generously as they can to relief organizations like the Red Cross. They need donations to keep doing the great work they are doing right now.

At the federal level I continue to push for the maximum levels of assistance to help get our communities back on their feet. Like clearing downed trees and power lines this will also be a deliberate process, but I am optimistic we will receive the help we need.

The people of Massachusetts are resilient and they will rebound from this tragedy through their own determination and the help of local, state and federals officials who are working together to bring relief.

I have never been more proud to be your U.S. Senator than I have over the past few days. I wanted to give you this quick update and pass along my thoughts on this important issue facing our state. As always, please feel free to check in with me at any time. I'm always eager to hear your thoughts and ideas. In the meantime, please keep the victims of this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.

Always,

Scott