Emotional service at State Capitol honors lives lost and hundreds still missing in Hill Country disaster
At a time when headlines are often dominated by political bickering, something different unfolded beneath Georgia’s Gold Dome on Wednesday morning. Silence fell. Hands joined. And for a moment, lawmakers stopped legislating — and started praying.
Led by House Speaker Jon Burns, Georgia lawmakers and local clergy held an emotional prayer service in the rotunda of the State Capitol to honor the victims of the deadly floods that struck Texas just days after the Fourth of July.
More than 100 people are still missing.
A Tragedy That Hit Home for Many
This wasn’t just another faraway disaster on the news. The scale of what’s happening in Texas feels deeply personal — even to those hundreds of miles away in Georgia.
The flooding, triggered by sudden torrential rainfall near the Guadalupe River in Central Texas, caught entire communities off guard. Cars were swept off roads. Families were separated. Entire towns were swallowed by water in minutes.
And then there’s the children. Many of the still-missing are believed to be young kids who were enjoying the holiday weekend.
Fairburn Democratic Rep. Lydia Glaize, who lost a child herself, didn’t hold back her emotions. “As a mother, I can barely speak,” she said. “The pain of these families — I feel it like it’s my own.”
Words Wrapped in Faith, Grief, and Solidarity
Speaker Burns opened the prayer service by calling for unity and empathy.
“We gather today to lift up our fellow Americans impacted by the devastating Hill Country floods,” he said, addressing lawmakers, staffers, and members of the public who had gathered in the rotunda. Some clutched tissues. Others bowed their heads in silence.
Rep. Mack Jackson, a Democrat from Sandersville, followed with a short but powerful prayer. “Georgians come together to pray for the loss of lives in Texas,” he said. “The horrendous devastation that they are facing in the state of Texas — we feel it, too.”
Pastor Jimmy Elder of First Baptist Church of Columbus added, “May they feel the love and prayers of the people of the state of Georgia.”
And for a moment, everyone did.
The Scope of the Texas Flooding Disaster
The flooding that hit the Texas Hill Country in early July has become one of the deadliest weather events in recent state history. What began as scattered showers quickly escalated into chaos. Water levels in the Guadalupe River surged past record highs. Many areas saw more than 15 inches of rain within 24 hours.
Rescue efforts have been nonstop since July 4, with the National Guard, local first responders, and volunteers working around the clock.
Here’s a quick look at the known impact so far:
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Confirmed deaths: 38 (as of July 16)
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Missing persons: 112 still unaccounted for
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Counties affected: Kerr, Comal, Kendall, and others across the Hill Country
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Homes damaged or destroyed: Estimated 5,000+
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Evacuations: Over 20,000 residents displaced
The water is receding. But the heartbreak is still rising.
Politics Set Aside — Just for a Moment
What stood out Wednesday in Atlanta wasn’t the attendance or the prayers themselves. It was what didn’t happen.
No party lines. No press releases. No jabs at the opposition.
Just people — elected officials — standing shoulder to shoulder, praying for strangers in another state.
You don’t see that every day.
Rep. Glaize, one of the most vocal voices during the service, later told reporters, “Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the noise that we forget our shared humanity. Today was a reminder.”
Why This Matters More Than People Think
It’s easy to feel helpless watching disasters unfold from afar. But events like this — a quiet moment of solidarity at a state capitol — can ripple farther than we know.
Here’s why it struck a chord:
| Element | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|
| Empathy from lawmakers | Showed they’re paying attention beyond borders |
| Public prayer service | Offered comfort to grieving Texans, even from afar |
| Non-partisan event | No political spin, just support |
| Local leadership presence | Gave the event weight and sincerity |
In a time when polarization often defines politics, Georgia’s brief moment of unity felt like a small win.
Still More Questions Than Answers
The situation in Texas is far from over. Search teams are still combing riverbanks and debris fields. Many communities remain without clean water or electricity. Families are scattered, clinging to hope.
Georgia’s prayer service won’t bring the missing home. But it did something else. It reminded people in Texas that others are paying attention.
