TITLE: Honoring Congressman Sam Johnson on the 40th anniversary of his return from Vietnam.

SUMMARY: Honoring Congressman Sam Johnson on the 40th anniversary of his return from Vietnam.

FULL TEXT:
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 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 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.