Jeb Hensarling: “Many of us are taught that death can come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. The thief came to Texas and Arkansas…”

“Many of us are taught that death can come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. The thief came to Texas and Arkansas this past weekend in the form of deadly tornadoes and flash floods. In the wake of their destructive path were left two dead in Nashville, Arkansas; one in Cisco, Texas; one in Corsicana, Texas; and in the Fifth District that I am proud to represent, one in Henderson County, Texas, and two next door in Van Zandt County, Van, Texas. They have left families, they have left friends, and they have left great holes in their communities that cannot be filled. Besides the tragic loss in life, there were many who are left injured, and in the case of Van, Texas, one-third of the town is either damaged or destroyed by tornado. Should anyone have wonder about the future of Van, Texas, as the Member of Congress, I can tell you you need not worry. The citizens of Van, I know their resilience, I know their values, I know their faith, and I know their can-do optimism. Van, Texas, will be rebuilt. I am joined, Mr. Speaker, today by Congressman Westerman of Arkansas, Congressman Barton of Texas, Congressman Burgess of Texas, and Congressman Conaway of Texas. Their districts were hit. Lives were lost in their districts as well. Mr. Speaker, as Members, we are called upon to vote, we are called upon to speak, we are called upon to lead, and there are times we are called upon to mourn.…”