TITLE: Honoring Congressman Sam Johnson on the 38th anniversary of his release as a North Vietnamese Prisoner of War.

SUMMARY: Honoring Congressman Sam Johnson on the 38th anniversary of his release as a North Vietnamese Prisoner of War.

FULL TEXT:
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.