The following statement may be attributed to U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) on the disaster declaration for the massive floods in Texas:

“Today’s disaster declaration is the rainbow after the flood. With this devastating flooding which caused loss of life and destruction of property, I mustered all of my resources at the federal level to help expedite disaster assistance.

“Since I began representing Gainesville and Cooke County back in 2005, I have been working diligently to secure funding for Pecan Creek. When I heard the report about downpours and flash flooding in North Texas, I immediately called and began working in tandem with the city, state and federal officials to coordinate response efforts.

“I spoke on various occasions with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Governor’s office, the Federal Emergency Management Administration and the White House. On Wednesday, June 27, I spoke directly with President Bush in the Oval Office concerning the situation and need for swift action.

“Although a horrific natural disaster, it is my hope that today’s disaster declaration will prompt the speedy appropriations of federal funding necessary to complete the Pecan Creek project thus insuring this catastrophe is never repeated.”

The following counties were included on the disaster declaration list from FEMA: Cooke, Coryell, Denton, Grayson, Lampasas, and Tarrant Counties