85R21635 JGH-D

By: Leach H.R. No. 1316

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, For nearly seven decades, the Honorable Sam Johnson has served his state and nation with courage and distinction, first as a highly decorated officer in the United States Air Force, then as a member of the Texas House of Representatives, and since 1991, as a United States congressman; and

WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio in 1930 and raised in Dallas, Sam Johnson attended Southern Methodist University; shortly after graduating at the age of 20, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, beginning a distinguished 29-year career; he flew 62 combat missions as a fighter pilot during the Korean War, and he went on to fly with the elite USAF Thunderbirds squadron and to serve as director of the USAF Weapons School before returning to duty as a combat pilot during two tours in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, On April 16, 1966, Major Johnson was shot down over North Vietnam while flying his 25th mission, and he sustained a dislocated shoulder, a broken arm, and a broken back while ejecting from his plane; captured by the North Vietnamese, he survived nearly seven years of torture and deprivation in the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison camp before being released on February 12, 1973, and he later published an inspiring account of his imprisonment, Captive Warriors: A Vietnam POW's Story; and

WHEREAS, Despite his ordeal, this heroic Texan continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force until his retirement at the rank of colonel in 1979; his decorations include two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star with "V" device, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards; and

WHEREAS, After leaving the armed services, Mr. Johnson started a home-building business in North Dallas, and he began his career as an elected official by serving for seven years in the Texas House of Representatives; in 1991, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and he has served the constituents of the Third District of Texas with great distinction ever since; and

WHEREAS, In his role as chair of the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, Congressman Johnson has worked tirelessly to ensure the solvency of the Social Security system and to safeguard its account holders from identity theft; he has also worked to address the long-term water needs of his district by helping to expedite the federal permitting process for the Lower Bois d'Arc Creek Reservoir; and

WHEREAS, This proud veteran has been a passionate advocate for current and former military personnel; he passed a bill to authorize a wall of remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial and helped to establish a community-based Veterans Administration outpatient clinic in Plano, and he tirelessly works in behalf of the families of those Vietnam War service members who remain missing in action or unaccounted for; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, Congressman Johnson received the inaugural Congressional Patriot Award from the Bipartisan Policy Center for placing the interests of the nation above all else, and that same year, he was also presented with the Distinguished Public Service Award from the U.S. Air Force; he is a recipient of the National Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and in 2009, his peers named him the most admired Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Congressman Johnson shared a rewarding marriage of 65 years with the former Shirley Melton until her passing in 2015; they became the parents of three children, and the family has grown to include 10 grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, A courageous warrior and a gifted public servant, Congressman Sam Johnson has devoted his life to serving his fellow citizens, and his commitment, integrity, and patriotism have inspired countless people in Texas and throughout the United States of America; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby commend U.S. Representative Sam Johnson for his exemplary leadership as a military officer and a legislator and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Congressman Johnson as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.