Sam Johnson

Mr. Speaker, this is going to be my last time up here. You all are great, and it is a pleasure to talk to you.

Someone once told me that being at the House of Representatives was a different kind of hell. So, when I was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives 27 years ago, I said that I had survived hell on Earth at the infamous Hanoi Hilton and the Texas House of Representatives, and that I guess I had gone from hell to hell to hell.

While there have been some hellish long nights here--and days--what I will remember is how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to serve America and defend freedom from the Halls of Congress.

I thank all of the constituents of my Third District of Texas, thank all of my colleagues and friends in this room, and thank my country. Serving in the Congress has been one of the highest honors of my life.

We live in the greatest country in the world, and don't forget it. If I leave any legacy behind, I hope that it is one of service above self.

God bless you. God bless America. I salute you and this great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 6886) to amend title 10, United States Code, to modify the requirement for certain former members of the Armed Forces to enroll in Medicare Part B to be eligible for TRICARE for Life, and to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of certain DNA specimen provenance assay tests under the Medicare program, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for recognizing me, and I appreciate those comments.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, French Hill, for arranging this Special Order to honor John.

Mr. Speaker, John was more than just a colleague in Congress. We were friends, and that friendship was forged in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Not everyone knows that he and I shared a cell there together for a time.

I can testify to the fact that John did everything he could to defend freedom and honor our great Nation, not just in that hell on Earth, but beyond those bleak years. This is most evident in his service in the United States House and Senate.

John, we will remember your strength of spirit, your commitment to our servicemembers and our democracy, and your love of country.

I would now like to tap a special message for John and his family, who remain in my prayers. This tap code was used by the POWs to resist our captors.

That is a G. That is a B. And that is a U. And that is what we all used to use, ``God bless you.''

God bless you, partner. I salute you.