[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H2997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MOMENT OF SILENCE TO MOURN THE TORNADO VICTIMS OF TEXAS AND ARKANSAS

  (Mr. HENSARLING asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, 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. In many of our faiths, we are taught there is a 
time for everything, including a time to mourn. Now is that time.
  On behalf of my colleagues in the well, I would ask that all 
Americans remember these good citizens in their prayers and their 
thoughts. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the House join us in honoring 
those who perished by observing a moment of silence.

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