Political Quotes

“Yesterday, we lost a former colleague, a patriot, and a true American hero. Calling the gentleman from Texas, Sam Johnson, a hero is not some sort of inflated rhetoric or hyperbole; it is the best description I know of Sam Johnson and his life. Born in San Antonio, raised in Dallas, a graduate of SMU, Sam then served 29 years in the United States Air Force. He was a fighter pilot, and some of those fighter pilot traits came through in everything he did, from how fast he drove across the highways of Texas to the way he approached legislation. Sam was a veteran of the Korean conflict and, of course, the Vietnam war. On his 25th combat mission in Vietnam, he was shot down, severely injured, and spent the next 7 years as a prisoner of war in the prison known as the Hanoi Hilton. Many Members have read his book ``Captive Warriors,'' which describes the hellish conditions and the courage and fortitude of Sam and his fellow prisoners as they fought to survive. After serving in the Texas State House, Sam was elected to Congress in 1990 and served until January 2019, including, for a time, as acting chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He now goes to join his wonderful wife, Shirley, and his son, Bob. Madam Speaker, I know of no one in the House who was more universally admired across the Chamber than Sam Johnson. Sam sacrificed much in service of our Nation, but always with courage and good humor and a deep, deep love of country.…”