[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 2, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S2663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Deadly Storms in East Texas

  Mr. President, many are aware that major storms ripped through parts 
of East Texas, including Van Zandt, Henderson, Rains, and Hopkins 
Counties, last weekend. On Saturday afternoon and evening, four 
tornadoes tore through the area, leaving a lot of damage in its wake, 
particularly in the town of Canton, in Van Zandt County. Dozens of 
people were injured and taken to the hospital, and, tragically, four 
people died.
  I plan to speak to the mayor of Canton and to Judge Kirkpatrick, the 
Van Zandt County judge, later today to offer them my condolences but 
more importantly, perhaps, to offer our help in addition to our 
prayers.
  I know they are working as hard as they can to continue to assess the 
damage done and to find a way forward to help bring assistance to those 
most in need.
  I am particularly grateful and impressed by the work of local leaders 
across my great State and around the country who step up at a time of 
crisis like this and organizations like the American Red Cross, which 
always seem to show up to offer a helping hand, as well as local 
schools and churches that have come together to lend a hand in this 
area during such a difficult time. Some have lost their own homes, 
vehicles, and, of course, loved ones.
  As I said, my thoughts and prayers are with all of them, and I stand 
ready to work alongside them in this resilient part of my great State 
as they recover from these deadly storms.