Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated public servant, a respected businessman, a decorated combat veteran, and a trusted mentor, former Third District of Arkansas Representative John Paul Hammerschmidt, who passed away on April 1 at the age of 92. John Paul believed that we are all put on Earth to serve others. This principle guided him even from an early age. After graduating from Harrison High School at 15 and spending a year at the Citadel, he forwent West Point and instead joined the Army Air Corps. As a second lieutenant during World War II, he piloted an incredible 217 combat missions and earned multiple medals and decorations. After the war, he returned to his home in Harrison to run the family lumber business, and he continued his service as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve until 1960. It was during this time that he also became engaged with local politics, and in 1966 he became the first Republican in 93 years to have been elected to serve Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his 26-year tenure in Congress, John Paul never spent a single day in the majority, but he didn't let that stand in the way of serving his constituents to the best of his ability. He worked with all colleagues--Democrat and Republican alike--to our State's benefit and is responsible for bringing the critical transportation infrastructure to northwest Arkansas that enabled its explosive growth.…”