Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I, too, support H. Res. 782 to express condolences and support for the victims of the July 4 flooding in Texas and also to honor the acts of heroism and commit to stand with those impacted by the floods through the rebuilding. The floods that tore through the Texas Hill Country were devastating beyond words. There were 135 lives lost, and many, many lives changed forever in terms of having to endure it, some of whom we had the privilege of seeing here in this House last July. Three souls are actually still missing. Families have been shattered, communities submerged, and more than 200 homes damaged. Businesses and infrastructure were crippled. Before I go any further, I will take a moment to acknowledge a heartbreaking loss that my district felt with this that has touched the Mobile, Alabama, community deeply. We are grieving the tragic deaths of four members of the same family, the Santana family, a family of military veterans: Eddie, Sr., aged 69; Ileana, his wife, aged 66; Camille, their daughter-in-law, aged 38; and Mila Rose, just 5 years old. While visiting the Hill Country, they were caught in the floods on that tragic evening. Only one member of that family, Eddie Santana, Jr., survived. I ask that we continue to hold him in our hearts and include his entire family in our prayers as they now face a future with unimaginable sorrow. To all those grieving, I offer my most sincere condolences.”