Ted Cruz: “Texas is grieving. Our hearts are shattered on what transpired in the early hours of Friday, July 4. In just a few…”

“Texas is grieving. Our hearts are shattered on what transpired in the early hours of Friday, July 4. In just a few hours, over 1.8 trillion gallons of rain fell upon central Texas. The Guadalupe River--ordinarily a beautiful, peaceful, calm river--rose nearly 30 feet in less than an hour. The result was utter and complete devastation. As we stand here today, there are over 100 Texans confirmed to be dead, and that number is still expected to rise. We have 27 girls and counselors confirmed dead from Camp Mystic, and that number, likewise, may well rise. Many in this body may not be familiar with the Hill Country where this happened. I want to tell you a little bit about it. Hill Country is in central Texas. I love every part of our great State, but I think Hill Country is, by far, the most beautiful part of our State. As the name suggests, there are rolling hills, beautiful rivers, and for a century, the Hill Country has been a place where young people across Texas have gone to summer camps. There are some 40 summer camps just in Kerr County. And it has been a place where young girls, young boys go to make friends, to learn independence. Camp Mystic is one of the most storied camps in Texas. It is 100 years old, founded in 1926. For 100 summers, Camp Mystic has hosted girls. It is a Christian camp, and it trains young girls in teamwork and camaraderie, in independence.”