Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

President Clinton Pledges Aid Until Job Is Done

President Bill Clinton pledged the federal government's help in getting Arkadelphia rebuilt after the March 1 tornadoes.

These storms destroyed a third of the city, claiming six lives and injuring 102 others.

Tuesday, March 4, Clinton toured the stricken city, flying in on Marine 1 to get an aerial view, as well as making a walking tour through downtown to see how bad the damage really was.

The personable Clinton visited with citizens and members of the Arkansas National Guard, shaking hands and signing autographs, offering words of comfort and promising help.

He toured the area with Gov. Mike Huckabee and State Rep. Percy Malone, before speaking to the media on hand.

Huckabee spoke first, thanking Clinton for coming to Arkansas to see the destruction first-hand and being with the people he loves and knows.

The governor said it was amazing how many people Clinton was able to address by their first name while walking around the city.

Huckabee said it was an emotional time for him, as he attended college in Arkadelphia (Ouachita Baptist University), and he and his wife lived in the city.

"People are down but not out," he said. "They're coping and moving forward. This is the spirit of our state."

Huckabee declared 19 counties as disasters because of the storms, saying while the destruction came from nature, God's grace will help the people.

"It will take time," he said, "but Arkansas will be OK."

Clinton told all on hand he appreciated the work already done, saying it was a difficult thing, but he was impressed by everyone involved in the recovery effort.

"There's a lot for you to be proud of," he said.

"When I became president, I wanted to make sure when disasters strike in the United States, the government would be there to do its part, and stay there for the long haul."

Clinton said as president he's seen 500 year floods in the Midwest, hurricanes along the gulf and east coastal seaboards, and the Pacific Northwest almost washed away by rains. "Nothing has affected me this way," Clinton said. "I look into the eyes of the people and wish there was more I could say or do.

"I predict in two years this (Arkadelphia) will look better than when the storm hit because of you."

On March 2, Clinton signed a disaster declaration to provide low interest loans and housing for those affected by the storms.

He said the Department of Defense would be on hand to help clear away the debris, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) would be there to help as well.

Clinton praised the local banks for offering to make loans to help out, too, even though the local banks were damaged by the storms.

"This," Clinton said of the recovery effort, "is a long-term process. I'm impressed with the folks I've seen cleaning up, but it will be a long-term rebuilding process."

The president said those affected must make the decision on whether or not they will rebuild. He said a task force of federal agencies has been put together to help those in need along the way, but "you must plan and execute your future," he told them.

According to Clinton, the 24 people killed in the tornadoes is more than those killed by storms during his 12 years as governor.

"Hillary and I have said prayers (for those affected by the storms). I'll be there every step of the way."

FEMA director James Lee Witt, an Arkansas native, was also on hand.

He said it was great to be back in Arkansas, but not for these reasons.

Witt said FEMA would do everything possible to help those who were affected by the tornadoes.

"The president charged us (FEMA) to be here," Witt said. "We'll support you in Arkansas and be here till we finish the job."