[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9359]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 WIMBERLEY, TEXAS, IS MAKING A COMEBACK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Williams) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, up until several weeks ago, my State of 
Texas experienced a drought so severe that water levels were reduced to 
historic lows while conservation efforts were set to all-time highs. 
Lakes and reservoirs were bone dry. Wildfires were a constant threat.
  In a cruel twist of fate, Texas is now recovering from the worst 
flooding in recent memory. Rivers overflowed, and dams burst.
  In Wimberley, Texas, a town about 40 miles southwest of the Texas 
capital, water rushed over the banks of the Blanco River with enough 
force to rip houses off their foundations and carry cars like they were 
toys. Loved ones were lost. Belongings and memories were washed away.
  The last month has been marked by death, destruction, and disbelief. 
I have met with first responders, toured flood damage, and spoke to the 
National Guard and regional FEMA officers about response and recovery 
operations. My office established a response center in town to help 
with the recovery process.
  Although we are still in a period of mourning, the strong Texas 
spirit of resolve has proven more powerful than Mother Nature's fury. 
Just this week, a nearby newspaper ran the headline, ``Hard hit by 
flood, Wimberley assures tourists: We're open for business.'' I 
personally might add ``wide open for business.''
  Mr. Speaker, this is the Texas way; it is what we do. Today, just a 
few weeks since the rains eased and the floodwaters subsided, Wimberley 
is making a comeback. Nearly all of the businesses in downtown 
Wimberley have reopened.
  Cathy Moreman, the executive director of the Wimberley Valley Chamber 
of Commerce, told my office they have had offers of help from around 
the country. Locals and visitors alike have come in and out and offered 
much in help from rescue to cleanup efforts. She said the outpouring of 
support has been astounding.
  Mr. Speaker, this is what I mean when I cite the Texas spirit of 
resolve. We have and will continue to take care of each other, look out 
for our neighbors, and together push forward.
  I assure you, we will rebound from this tragedy quickly and fully.
  May God bless the residents of Wimberley, and may God bless all of 
Texas.
  In God we trust.

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