Bryant focuses on faith, tornado aftermath at Neshoba

Gov. Phil Bryant said he put a lot of thought into what he was going to speak about at the 125th anniversary of the Neshoba County Fair, and it soon became clear where he should start.

Bryant told the more than 2,000 people in attendance to pick up the fans his supporters had passed out.

"On the bottom of that fan is the new state seal … and on that seal is 'In God We Trust'," Bryant said. "Need I say anything else? In God we trust."

Bryant said God delivered parts of Mississippi through the approximately 20 tornadoes that devastated several cities on April 28. He told the story about how his wife, First Lady Deborah Bryant, was traveling back from Tupelo that day as a the tornadoes were making their way eastward from the Mississippi River.

When Bryant called and asked where she was, she told him she was approaching Louisville. "Along with an F3 tornado," Bryant added. The first lady ended up in the basement of the courthouse, where she rode out what Bryant described as "a tornado that's the worst we've seen since Smithville."

Deborah Bryant ended up spending the night in Louisville where she helped prepare a shelter for people who lost their homes.

"The good Lord gave her a chance to serve that day in Louisville, and she has done just that," Bryant said.

Bryant said the aftermath of those tornadoes showed the best of the Magnolia State.

"Mississippi, like America, is an idea … (It's) not just that land mass between Florida and Louisiana," Bryant said. "On April 28 … they didn't hold up any signs. They didn't whine, moan or complain. … They got out of their shelters … and went to work."