82R15997 RYA-D
By: Taylor of Collin H.C.R. No. 118
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Sam Johnson, a member of the United
States House of Representatives, commemorated on February 17, 2011,
the 38th anniversary of his homecoming from Vietnam, where he
endured nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War; and
WHEREAS, This highly decorated war hero served his country
for 29 years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force; raised in Dallas,
he joined the military at the age of 20, shortly after graduating
from Southern Methodist University, and completed 62 combat
missions as a fighter pilot during the Korean War; he subsequently
flew with the elite Air Force Thunderbirds and directed the Air
Force Fighter Weapons School; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Johnson served two tours of duty in
Vietnam; on April 16, 1966, during his second tour, he was shot down
over North Vietnam while flying his 25th combat mission; ejecting
from his plane, he sustained a dislocated shoulder, broken arm, and
broken back; and
WHEREAS, After his capture, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was
held at the notorious "Hanoi Hilton" prison camp, where he survived
72 days in leg stocks and 2-1/2 years in leg irons, as well as severe
beatings and starvation; identified by his captors as a "die-hard"
because of his refusal to cooperate, he was placed in solitary
confinement for 3-1/2 years; his ordeal finally ended with his
release from prison on February 12, 1973; he later wrote about his
experiences as a Prisoner of War in his book Captive Warriors: A
Vietnam POW's Story, which was published in 1992; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Johnson retired from the Air Force with
the rank of Colonel in 1979; among the many military awards he
received were two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the
Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple
Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Outstanding Unit Awards; and
WHEREAS, Following his return to civilian life, Congressman
Johnson established a home-building business and served for seven
years in the Texas House of Representatives; since 1991, he has
represented the Third District of Texas in the U.S. Congress, where
he is a member of the Committee on Ways and Means and the chairman of
the Social Security Subcommittee; a dedicated advocate for the men
and women in the military, he was named by his peers in 2009 as the
"most admired" Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Sam Johnson has enjoyed the
love and support of his wife, Shirley; the couple have been blessed
with 3 children and 10 grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, A distinguished patriot, Congressman Johnson
continues to represent his country with extraordinary honor and
dedication, and he is truly worthy of special recognition for his
service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby honor Congressman Sam Johnson on the 38th anniversary of his
homecoming from Vietnam and extend to him sincere appreciation for
his deep devotion to this country and to the cause of freedom; 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 and Senate.