VP Pence visits Rockport for Hurricane Harvey anniversary, pledges continued government support

Visit on Wednesday is part of stops in Texas, Louisiana

SAN ANTONIO – Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Rockport on Wednesday just days before the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey to see the recovery efforts in the community.

He revisited the First Baptist Church of Rockport and met with FEMA employees, disaster relief volunteers and members of the community.

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"I know I speak for the president, and I know I speak for you, governor (Greg Abbott), when I say we are more proud than any other aspect by the volunteer effort of the good and caring and faithful-led people of Texas,” Pence said to a crowd.

Pence is imploring those in Rockport and everyone effected by Hurricane Harvey to keep moving forward.

"I'm glad to see that the vice president came back a year later to follow up with what had happened. We are still recovering and there's still a lot of hopelessness and despair,” resident Chris Ray said.

Dora Cantu is trying to go back to living in Rockport after losing her home during the hurricane. She now lives in San Antonio but is holding onto hope.

Volunteers and organizations have stepped up to help those in need of repairs or rebuilding.

"They've re-done my roof, my windows my door, and the next step is going to be electrical plumbing and HVAC, and then they'll start the interior,” Cantu said.

Cantu said she knows she’ll have to be patient.

Pence pledged Wednesday that the federal government will continue to aid those in need.

Still, Cantu doesn’t take anything for granted and has a message for others.

"It's hard. You lose everything and just -- be grateful for what you have because you never know," Cantu said.

Pence will visit Houston next, where he will take part in an America First Action roundtable and then a Trump Victory event.

On Thursday, Pence will participate in a John Culberson for Congress event. He will also tour the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and give remarks regarding the administration’s space policy priorities.

Pence is also scheduled to go to New Orleans and tour the National World War II Museum and meet with World War II veterans. He will also be at a political event alongside House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.


About the Authors:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.

Reporter, proud Houstonian, U of H alumni, and lover of all the hometown sport teams.