FOLEY, Ala. - Diane Bentley took to the microphone and grabbed the attention of all eyes and ears.

    The South Baldwin Republican Women's group welcomed the First Lady of Alabama to the monthly meeting held at The Gift Horse restaurant in Foley, and Bentley spoke to the packed banquet hall about the response of residents across the state in the wake of the tornadoes that struck earlier this year.

    "No matter how devastating these storms were, I was encouraged by the outpouring of support," she told the crowd.

    "Now, our whole state needs to be united."

    Back in April, deadly tornadoes struck cities and towns in northern Alabama and left images of destruction and devastation while introducing another disaster for the state to handle.

    However, Bentley believes the strength of the state was shown in how quickly residents unified for their Alabama brothers and sisters in need. Bentley also said the people of Baldwin County and along the Gulf Coast can understand the turmoil in northern Alabama because they have dealt with destruction of their own due to hurricanes.

    "We also had to deal with wildfires and the effects of an oil spill, and still do," she said.

    "New challenges happen every day."

    She also said the effects of the tornado damage will be felt "for a long time" because recovery and clean-up does not happen overnight.

    "We can't dwell on the negatives when we've been blessed with so much positive," she said, noting the state is "beautiful" from the capitol to the white, sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast.

    "We all work together and press forward."

    She said her and Governor Robert Bentley visit Baldwin County often and enjoy it each time.

    "We've been coming down here for 35 years," she said, noting the couple have a house in Gulf Shores. "We just love the Gulf Coast and Baldwin County."

    Bentley also said the Baldwin County and Mobile County hub is the "highest support area" in the state for Governor Bentley.

    "These are my friends. You have always stood beside us and always supported us," she said.