[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13259]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              TEXAS FIRES

  (Mr. FARENTHOLD asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. FARENTHOLD. Mr. Speaker, since December, fires have been ravaging 
drought-stricken Texas, claiming 2 lives, more than 1,500 homes, and 
3.5 million acres of land. My deepest prayers and sympathy go out to 
the victims of these wildfires. My thanks and appreciation go out to 
those brave firefighters battling these devastating flames.
  FEMA and the White House must help Texas during this time of natural 
disaster and provide the tools needed to fight these devastating fires. 
Disasters like these fires is why FEMA was created. Just this week, 
fires have crept into eight more counties, forcing thousands to 
evacuate and wait in fear, praying their homes and life savings don't 
go up in smoke.
  I'll do more than pray. The House of Representatives will find the 
necessary tools to combat this disaster, and I'll push government at 
all levels to provide the necessary resources for firefighters.
  If you live in one of these danger zones, like folks in Bastrop and 
surrounding counties, please listen to Federal, State, and local 
officials' warnings and advice. And I will continue to pray for rain 
and the safety of those involved in this disaster and those in harm's 
way.

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