Blake Farenthold: “Thank you, Congressman Poe. I'm honored today to stand up here to honor the bravery and commitment that Congressman Sam…”

“Thank you, Congressman Poe. I'm honored today to stand up here to honor the bravery and commitment that Congressman Sam Johnson has shown his country. Sam lived through an experience that would bring even the toughest soldier to his knees. He was in the Air Force for 29 years and was a prisoner of war for 7 after his F4 plane was gunned down in North Vietnam. Now today, 40 years after he was released from captivity, we celebrate his freedom. He was beaten and tortured and kept in a small cell; yet he refused to give up or disclose any information to the enemy. The sacrifice and peril that Sam went through is on the heart of every young man or woman who commits himself to serve the Armed Forces. Sam and his family just suffered a tragic personal loss. I have no notes here; you can read about Sam and his accomplishments and his heroics on the Internet. Or better yet, buy the book. I want to talk for a minute about my experience in the slightly over 2 years that I have been in the House serving with Sam. There is nobody that has the respect of this Congress the way Sam Johnson does. {time} 2010 I don't know a single person on either side of the aisle that doesn't appreciate Sam's service and sacrifice and hold him in the highest esteem. And that's saying something, when we're serving in a body that's constantly bickering, that has an 8 percent approval rating.…”