Randy Weber: “Mr. Speaker, our hearts are breaking across the Lone Star State, especially for our dear friend and colleague…”

“Mr. Speaker, our hearts are breaking across the Lone Star State, especially for our dear friend and colleague, Congressman Chip Roy, and his beautiful district as they recover from unimaginable devastation caused by those Fourth of July floods. In the dead of night, the Guadalupe River surged more than 20 feet in just 45 minutes. Think about that--20 feet. Families were forced to fight for their lives. Homes were overtaken. Children at summer camps ran for safety. It was the worst-case scenario and one that was unfolding in total darkness. Mr. Speaker, down on the Gulf Coast, we are no strangers to disasters, as Chip mentioned. We know hurricanes. We have weathered our fair share of storms, but this--this was something else. It was sudden, swift, and heartbreaking. This was the very center of Texas, the very part of the heart of the center of Texas, and Texans across the Nation felt it. Many knew someone who was impacted. We have all seen the images, Mr. Speaker. We have heard the stories. The pain is real. The loss is deep. Yet, through it all, our God is still great. Even in the midst of destruction, the light of faith and courage shone through and still shines through. Children gathered were heard singing hymns. Neighbors rescued neighbors, Mr. Speaker. Total strangers became heroes. Our first responders and our great Coast Guard saved countless lives.”