Sam Johnson

Sam Johnson served the 3rd Congressional District of Texas from 1991 to 2019.

Sam Johnson, a decorated war hero and native Texan, ranks among the few Members of Congress to fight in combat.  During his 29-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Representative Johnson flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  He endured nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Hanoi, including 42 months in solitary confinement.  Following his distinguished military career, Sam established a home-building business in North Dallas from scratch and served in the Texas State legislature. 

Sam holds a House leadership role as one of the few Deputy Whips (vote counters).  He is a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means where he serves as the Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee and sits on the Health Subcommittee.  In the 112th Congress, House leaders appointed Sam to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). 

Sam uses his committee assignments to benefit the Third District.  Sam’s tenure and long-standing relationships give his constituents direct access to top congressional leaders and ensure their voices are heard in Washington.

A fiscal hawk and constitutional conservative who advocates lower taxes and smaller government, Sam has proven himself as a respected leader with a rock-solid record.

A few of his recent landmark legislative accomplishments include:

• Securing the approval for two new local Veterans Health Clinics in Plano – a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) that will open in spring of 2016 as well as a Specialty Clinic that will also be located in Plano.   These clinics, which will allow veterans to receive proper health care closer to home, provide an alternative to the Dallas VA (a long commute).
   
• Getting legislation signed into law that would prevent illegal immigrants from getting welfare checks (H.R. 1298). 
   
• Fighting the EPA to ensure North Texas does not experience a shortage of water by 2020 due to the community’s population boom.
   
• Protecting Americans’ identity by passing a law to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards (H.R. 380).
   
• Repealing the Wright Amendment to allow Dallas’ Love Field Airport the ability to offer direct flights, increasing competition and saving North Texans’ time and money (H.R. 2646, The Right to Fly Act).

In 2011, the renowned bipartisan publication, National Journal, named Sam the most conservative Member of Congress based solely on his voting record, meaning he voted against Nancy Pelosi and President Obama’s big government, failed stimulus agenda at every turn. 

In 2009, Sam’s peers recognized him as the “most admired” Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives.  In addition, in 2009 the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor Society bestowed Sam their highest civilian accolade, the National Patriot Award, for his tireless work on behalf of the troops, veterans, and freedom. 

In 2011, Sam accepted the “Freedom of Flight” award at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards, dubbed the Oscars of aviation, from renowned air show pilot Bob Hoover.

Sam serves as a Regent for the world famous Smithsonian Institution, where he represents the Board of Regents on the Advisory Board of the National Air and Space Museum.

Sam chronicles his POW experience in solitary confinement in his autobiography, Captive Warriors.  The book details the stories of the self-named “Alcatraz Gang,” including great American patriots, such as Jeremiah Denton and Jim Stockdale.

A decorated combat veteran and war hero, Sam was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Outstanding Unit Awards.

Sam Johnson was married to the late Shirley L. Melton of Dallas, and he is the proud parent of three children and ten grandchildren.