SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 540
WHEREAS, A valiant son of Texas, United States Congressman
Sam Johnson demonstrated unflinching bravery and a resolute
commitment to defending his country while a member of the armed
forces, and February 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of his
release as a prisoner of war; and
WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio, Sam Johnson grew up in
Dallas, where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and
Southern Methodist University; he joined the United States Air
Force at the age of 20, and he completed 62 combat missions during
the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson went on to complete
two tours of duty in Vietnam; on April 16, 1966, while flying his
25th combat mission of that war, he was shot down over enemy
territory; and
WHEREAS, Sustaining severe injury after ejecting from his
plane, he was captured and held at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton"
prison camp, where he and his fellow prisoners endured horrific
treatment; he ultimately spent nearly seven years in captivity,
half of it in solitary confinement, before returning to his
beloved country on February 17, 1973; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished officer retired from the air
force with the rank of colonel in 1979, having earned a host of
prestigious honors over the course of his 29-year career; his
book Captive Warriors: A Vietnam POW's Story was published in
1992 by the Texas A&M University Press; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Sam Johnson won election to the Texas
House of Representatives, where he served for more than six
years, and he has ably represented his constituents as a member
of the United States Congress since 1991; in that capacity, he
has worked tirelessly in behalf of current and former members of
the military, and in 2009, his efforts were recognized with the
National Patriot Award, the highest civilian accolade conferred
by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society; and
WHEREAS, The people of our state and nation owe a
tremendous debt of gratitude to Sam Johnson, a courageous aviator
whose patriotism and iron determination remain a source of
inspiration to all Americans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby honor United States Congressman Sam Johnson
on the 40th anniversary of his return from Vietnam and commend
him for his service to his country; 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 Senate.
Paxton Paxton
Paxton
Birdwell Garcia Schwertner Birdwell Garcia Schwertner
Birdwell Garcia Schwertner
Campbell Hancock Seliger Campbell Hancock Seliger
Campbell Hancock Seliger
Carona Hegar Taylor Carona Hegar Taylor
Carona Hegar Taylor
Davis Hinojosa Uresti Davis Hinojosa Uresti
Davis Hinojosa Uresti
Deuell Huffman Van de Putte Deuell Huffman Van de Putte
Deuell Huffman Van de Putte
Duncan Lucio Watson Duncan Lucio Watson
Duncan Lucio Watson
Ellis Nelson West Ellis Nelson West
Ellis Nelson West
Eltife Nichols Whitmire Eltife Nichols Whitmire
Eltife Nichols Whitmire
Estes Patrick Williams Estes Patrick Williams
Estes Patrick Williams
Fraser Rodriguez Zaffirini Fraser Rodriguez Zaffirini
Fraser Rodriguez Zaffirini
Dewhurst, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 27, 2013.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Paxton
Birdwell Garcia Schwertner
Campbell Hancock Seliger
Carona Hegar Taylor
Davis Hinojosa Uresti
Deuell Huffman Van de Putte
Duncan Lucio Watson
Ellis Nelson West
Eltife Nichols Whitmire
Estes Patrick Williams
Fraser Rodriguez Zaffirini