U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial Va Clinic Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on my bill to rename the Plano, Texas, VA Clinic after former Congressman, Air Force Fighter Pilot, and POW Sam Johnson.

Congressman Sam Johnson served in the U.S. Air Force for 29 years where he was the director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School and flew the F-100 Super Sabre with the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying demonstration team. He flew the slot.

He was a combat veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars as a fighter pilot, flying 87 combat missions.

On April 16, 1966, while flying his 25th combat mission over Vietnam, he was shot down and suffered a broken right arm, broken back, and dislocated shoulder. He was a prisoner of war for nearly 7 years, including 42 months in solitary confinement.

He was part of a group of 11 U.S. military prisoners known as the Alcatraz Gang, a group of prisoners separated from other captives because they would not break.

His heroic actions led him to be awarded two Silver Stars, three Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and two Purple Hearts.

In 1985, he was called on again to serve, only this time in the Texas State House of Representatives, where he served until being elected to this body in 1991.

He went on to serve in Congress until his retirement in 2019. During his time in Congress, Sam was a force. His House tenure included many accomplishments, including holding a position on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

I am proud to serve as Representative for Texas' Third District, the same district that Sam served so honorably.

As I reflect on Sam's life, I am reminded of a story that demonstrates his signature tenacity, toughness, and character.

Gib Lewis, Texas Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time, tried threatening Sam regarding a piece of legislation. Sam put his old, crooked hands, those that had been broken many times in torture, on Gib's desk and said: What are you going to do, Gib? Break my hands?

There was absolutely nothing that Gib Lewis could say.

I truly can think of no individual who is more deserving of having a VA clinic named in his honor.

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