President Trump praises Harvey response by 'Mattress Mack'

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Seven weeks have slipped past since the clobbering by Harvey and out on the North Freeway, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale is right where it seems he's always been -- riding herd, front and center at the entrance of Gallery Furniture.

Unbeknownst to him, in a ballroom 1,400 miles away, President Donald Trump was telling the entire country how a Texas man stepped up in the clutch for his storm-ravaged community.

"When the rain began to flood the streets of the city, he sent out his furniture trucks to rescue the stranded," said Trump speaking at the Values Voter Summit. "He brought them back to his store and gave them food and gave them a clean, dry place to stay, even if it meant ruining countless dollars worth of furniture. As 'Mattress Mack' put it, 'My faith defines me. It's who I am.' In 'Mack,' we see the strength of the American spirit." 

High praise from the Commander in Chief, accolades that McIngvale was grateful to receive, but quick to deflect and share.

"The President's statement was very gracious, but I think his statement was not only toward me, but to the entire city and the state of Texas that rolls up together to help each other regardless of left wing politics or right wing politics," said McIngvale.

"We focus on helping people," added 'Mattress Mack,' "There was no doubt in my mind I was going to open this place up and let people in. I heard my people cry. My people are drowning. What else were we going to do?"

As those who've born witness will readily affirm, it is what he's always done, leading by example.
Prolific furniture sales as fuel for aiding his fellow man, both now and in the tough days to come.

"There's a lot of work to be done and I think we need to be mindful of people," said McIngvale. "I think we need to listen to people. We need to be present for people and help them through this crisis and that's what we are trying to do. I'm not nearly as good at it as I should be, but I continue to work on it."