After a briefing from officials, U.S. Senator John Cornyn addressed the press in Kerrville, Texas, discussing recent severe flooding and ongoing rescue operations. Present with him were U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, U.S. Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21), Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, and Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring.
Senator Cornyn expressed his admiration for the state’s response efforts: “I remain incredibly impressed with Governor Abbott’s leadership and the incredible work that the Texas Department of Emergency Management under the leadership of Nim Kidd do.” He acknowledged federal support by thanking “President Trump and Secretary Noem for responding so quickly to Governor Abbott’s request for a federal disaster declaration.”
Reflecting on the human impact of the disaster, he stated: “We are praying for those who have lost loved ones and are grieving. We are celebrating with those who have been reacquainted with and rejoined with their family members.” He shared an insight from a previous disaster experience in West, Texas: “‘Being from Texas is not just about where you’re from, it’s who your family is,’ and so when things like this happen, we come together as a family, as Texans, in a way that I’m very proud of.”
Cornyn assured continued support from state leadership: “[Governor Abbott] and his team will be relentless in supporting all of the efforts at the local and the federal level until every last person is accounted for and those families are reunited with their loved ones.”
