SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 359
WHEREAS, In 2015, the Honorable Sam Johnson, a member of
the United States House of Representatives, is commemorating the
42nd anniversary of his release as a prisoner of war in North
Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, An alumnus of Woodrow Wilson High School in
Dallas, Sam Johnson graduated with a degree in business
administration from Southern Methodist University in 1951, and
soon thereafter, at the age of 20, he entered the United States
Air Force; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson completed 62 combat missions as a
fighter pilot during the Korean War, and he went on to become a
member of the elite Air Force Thunderbirds and the director of
the Air Force Fighter Weapons School; he later served two tours
of duty in the Vietnam War; on April 16, 1966, he was flying his
25th combat mission over North Vietnam when his plane was shot
down, forcing him to eject into enemy territory; and
WHEREAS, Severely injured, Major Johnson was taken captive
and held at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" prison camp, where he was
subjected to horrific beatings, starvation, solitary confinement,
and other deplorable treatment; he ultimately endured seven
years in the facility before being returned to his homeland on
February 17, 1973, and he later chronicled his experiences in his
autobiography, Captive Warriors: A Vietnam POW's Story, which
was published in 1992; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Johnson concluded his exemplary
29-year career in the United States Air Force in 1979, retiring
at the rank of colonel; his numerous military commendations and
accolades include two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the
Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple
Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Outstanding Unit Awards;
moreover, he was retroactively awarded the Prisoner of War Medal
following its creation in 1985; and
WHEREAS, After returning to civilian life, this esteemed
Texan founded a home-building business, and in 1984 he was
elected to the first of four consecutive terms in the Texas House
of Representatives; since 1991, he has represented the Third
District of Texas in the United States Congress, where he serves
on the Committee on Ways and Means and the Health Subcommittee
and chairs the Social Security Subcommittee; throughout his
career in Congress, he has made the welfare of the men and women
in the military one of his foremost priorities; in 2009, he was
awarded the National Patriots Award, the highest civilian
accolade conferred by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society,
and he was named by his peers as the "most admired" Republican in
the United States House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Johnson and his wife, Shirley, are
the parents of 3 children, Gini, Beverly, and the late Bob
Johnson, and the grandparents of 10 grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Sam Johnson has demonstrated the highest degree
of patriotism, fighting bravely for his country, holding
steadfast in captivity, and rendering public service with the
utmost integrity, and he is indeed deserving of his fellow
citizens' deepest gratitude; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature,herebyhonorCongressmanSamJohnsononthe42nd
anniversary of his return from Vietnam and extend to him sincere
appreciation for his valiant 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
from the Texas Senate.
Taylor of Collin,
Estes
Bettencourt Hancock Perry Bettencourt Hancock Perry
Bettencourt Hancock Perry
Birdwell Hinojosa Rodriguez Birdwell Hinojosa Rodriguez
Birdwell Hinojosa Rodriguez
Burton Huffines Schwertner Burton Huffines Schwertner
Burton Huffines Schwertner
Campbell Huffman Seliger Campbell Huffman Seliger
Campbell Huffman Seliger
Creighton Kolkhorst Taylor of Galveston Creighton Kolkhorst Taylor of Galveston
Creighton Kolkhorst Taylor of Galveston
Ellis Lucio Uresti Ellis Lucio Uresti
Ellis Lucio Uresti
Eltife Menéndez Watson Eltife Menéndez Watson
Eltife Menéndez Watson
Fraser Nelson West Fraser Nelson West
Fraser Nelson West
Garcia Nichols Whitmire Garcia Nichols Whitmire
Garcia Nichols Whitmire
Hall Zaffirini Hall Zaffirini
Hall Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
____________________________________________________________
Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
______________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 11, 2015.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
Bettencourt Hancock Perry
Birdwell Hinojosa Rodriguez
Burton Huffines Schwertner
Campbell Huffman Seliger
Creighton Kolkhorst Taylor of Galveston
Ellis Lucio Uresti
Eltife Menéndez Watson
Fraser Nelson West
Garcia Nichols Whitmire
Hall Zaffirini