[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11490]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              WEST, TEXAS

  (Mr. FLORES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the 3-month anniversary of 
the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. This catastrophic event 
injured hundreds, took 15 lives, and cost tens of millions of dollars 
in damage. Since that tragic day, the State of Texas and the entire 
community of West have been working tirelessly to rebuild and to 
recover.
  FEMA originally denied Texas Governor Rick Perry's request for a 
major disaster declaration. Since then, the Governor has filed an 
appeal for the President to reconsider this decision. I am pleased to 
be joined by a substantial bipartisan majority of the Texas 
congressional delegation as we urge the President to support this 
appeal on behalf of the citizens of West and McLennan County.
  It is our hope that the President honors the commitment he made on 
April 25--to help the citizens of West recover, rebuild, and reclaim 
their community. We must help ease the burdens this community continues 
to face through the recovery process.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Americans keep the community of West in 
their prayers. God bless America.

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