[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMUNITIES PULL TOGETHER AFTER FLOOD DEVASTATION

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                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend we in central and south 
Texas experienced extraordinary rain storms which dropped record 
amounts of rain in only a matter of hours. Some areas received nearly 
two feet of water in roughly 24 hours. Our normally calm rivers bursted 
over their banks, turning into a racing wall of water. Even now, 
communities in my district find themselves under water. Roads, houses, 
farms and ranches have turned into lakes.
  Devastation is everywhere. Homes have been torn from their 
foundations. While lending a helping hand to others, one rescue worker 
and her husband watched in horror as their house floated down what was 
once a street. Many communities have no drinking water, and thousands 
are only now beginning to return to their homes. For many, all their 
worldly possessions are gone. Lives lost, businesses flooded, livestock 
killed, and people's prime investment, their homes, destroyed--that is 
the legacy of the floods of 1998.
  The counties I represent include some of the hardest hit areas: 
Comal, Guadalupe, Bexar and Wilson Counties have not seen this level of 
destruction in more than a generation or more. In some areas, the 
Guadalupe River, normally 150 feet wide, stretches three miles across. 
It may take days or weeks to add up the value of lost property, but we 
know today already that some have experienced the greatest loss. At 
least 17 persons have died as a result of these storms, and a number of 
children remain missing and are feared lost. For the record, I have 
attached a list of these fatalities. Mr. Speaker, our hearts and 
prayers go out to these families at this tragic time.
  I spent yesterday visiting flood-damaged communities. While the 
destruction was truly heart-wrenching, I was impressed with the 
professionalism exhibited by city leaders, law enforcement and 
emergency service crews. I admired neighborly spirit of the many 
volunteers who came out to help. In response to this crisis, people 
from all walks of life came together to battle the water and save 
lives. The next few days will be critical as the rebuilding begins. I 
know that, despite the challenges, the people of Texas will pull 
together and overcome.

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