Central Texas Floods

Floor Speech

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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, summer camp is a great memory for so many of us. You think about the good times we had, at the right moment in life, with a lot of friends, learning the basics of swimming, archery, target shooting, and other things, like camping out--memories you carry for a lifetime, wonderful memories, a rite of passage for many individuals and families, a family tradition passed on to younger siblings and, ultimately, to our own children and grandchildren.

There are so many images in our minds, over the last several days, as to the tragedy that occurred in Central Texas. I know I speak for millions of Americans when I say we are heartbroken over the flash floods that devastated Central Texas this past weekend.

Early Friday morning, while most were fast asleep, a foot of rain fell onto Texas Hill Country. This deluge floated to the Guadalupe River, causing it to rise by 26 feet in 45 minutes--26 feet in 45 minutes.

Near the Guadalupe, a girls sleep away camp, Camp Mystic, which had been there for 99 years, was all but destroyed by the floods. Already, that camp has confirmed that 27 of their campers and counselors died in that flood--27.

I send my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those campers and counselors.

Tragically, the flooding in Texas continues to take lives. More than 100 people have perished. That number is expected to grow, sadly, in the coming days.

In the midst of this disaster, I am heartened by the kindness and courage shown by the first responders and volunteers. Twenty separate agencies, at every level of government, have come together to help save lives. At Camp Mystic, the counselors, many of whom had just graduated from high school, risked their own lives to save younger campers. We will never forget that bravery.

This disaster has impacted people of both political faiths-- Republicans and Democrats--and Independents as well.

I want to say this, and I say this on reflection of my career in the House and the Senate: I have never, to my knowledge--never--voted against disaster assistance for people in other States than my home State of Illinois. There, but for the grace of God, go my people that I represent. And I would hope that the Senate and the House would stand together, Democrats and Republicans, and say we are going to be there for the victims of this disaster.

I pray that we find the missing loved ones and that we take the necessary steps to stop another tragedy like this from occurring.

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