[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 14, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOMECOMING OF CONGRESSMAN SAM 
                                JOHNSON

  (Mr. BURGESS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, today I want to acknowledge a colleague, a 
fellow Texan, a veteran, and a true American hero. Congressman Sam 
Johnson served in the United States Air Force for 29 years. During 
service, he flew in 62 combat missions in the Korean war and 25 
missions in the Vietnam war. While flying in his 25th Vietnam combat 
mission, Congressman Johnson was shot down and captured in North 
Vietnam.
  On February 12, 1973, after 7 years of imprisonment, Congressman 
Johnson was returned to the United States and reunited with his wife 
and daughters. This week, we honor Congressman Johnson and we celebrate 
the 39th anniversary of his homecoming. Through the years of agony, he 
persevered, and he left Vietnam with the resolution to support every 
man and every woman fighting for the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, we are all called to office for different reasons. For 
Members of my class 10 years ago, it was the tragic events of September 
11. For Congressman Johnson, it was his imprisonment that empowered him 
to run for office.
  It is an honor to celebrate a man who has given not only part of his 
life to protect our freedoms, but a man who continues to represent the 
American people with dignity and respect. Thank you, Congressman 
Johnson, for your service to our Nation.

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