Johnson RSS Articles

AT YOUR SERVICE

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, February 16^th, the staff of U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) will host Mobile Office Hours in Frisco, McKinney and Plano. No advance appointments are necessary. Times and locations are listed below.

Staff from the Congressman’s office regularly host Mobile Office Hours throughout the Third District to meet with constituents close to home at their convenience. During Mobile Office Hours, Johnson’s aides gladly assist individuals facing problems with federal programs or agencies such as Medicare, Veterans’ Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Social Security Administration, or the Internal Revenue Service.

The Congressman’s staff also can help facilitate overseas adoptions, provide information regarding trips to Washington, D.C., and process requests to have American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol building.

Anyone requesting assistance with a federal agency should bring all relevant documents and be prepared to sign a privacy disclaimer. Constituents who cannot attend the scheduled Mobile Office Hours are welcome to contact the Congressman’s Richardson office at (972) 470-0892. For more information, visit www.samjohnson.house.gov and select “Get Help with a Federal Agency.”

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

ALLEN

City Hall

Front Entrance

305 Century Parkway

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

FRISCO

George A. Purefoy Municipal Center

Front Lobby

6101 Frisco Square Boulevard

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

MCKINNEY

Collin College Central Park Campus

Entrance Area

2200 West University

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

PLANO

Parr Library

Front Lobby

6200 Windhaven Parkway

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

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Chairman Johnson Opening Statement on Securing the Future of the Social Security Disability Insurance Program

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Good morning and welcome to our second hearing in our hearing series on Securing the Future of the Social Security Disability Insurance Program. Today our focus is on combating waste, fraud and abuse.

In our first hearing we talked about the important milestone set in 1956 by the creation of this cash benefit program for those who could no longer work due to a disability. From the beginning, there was a great deal of concern about the high risk for fraud, waste, and abuse because of the changing nature of disability and the inherent subjectivity of determining whether a person was truly disabled.

Today, the disability insurance program pays benefits to individuals with disabilities that meet certain medical criteria, as long as they worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.

Over the past four decades, disability program costs have soared from $18 billion to $124 billion as the number of those receiving benefits has more than tripled from 2.7 to 9.7 million. The size of the overall workforce, more women in the workforce, the aging of the baby boomers into their disability-prone years, and relaxed eligibility requirements have all contributed to this growth.

That continued growth is putting a massive strain on the program. According to the 2011 Trustees’ Report, without Congressional action, the Disability Insurance program will be unable to pay full benefits beginning in 2018, only a few years from now. And as the size, cost and complexity of the disability insurance program have increased, so has the program’s exposure to waste, fraud, and abuse.

In fiscal year 2011, Social Security paid $130 billion in disability benefits. That’s about what it costs to run three Federal agencies, the Department of Homeland Security, NASA, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In that same year Social Security’s disability overpayments were 1.4 percent of total benefits paid. That percentage may sound small, but 1.4 percent of benefits equals $1.8 billion in overpayments.

In fact, according to Social Security, each tenth of a percentage point in payment accuracy represents about $706 million in outlays for the retirement and disability program. Said another way, for every one tenth of one percent Social Security improves its payment accuracy, it can pay disability benefits for a full year to close to 5,300 people. That’s real money for those who can’t work and who count on these benefits to keep a roof over their head and food on the table. Finally, while Social Security collected $839 million in overpayments in FY 2010, cumulative overpayment debt still reached $5.4 billion that same year.

Continuing disability reviews also protect the disability program by making sure those receiving disability benefits are still disabled. Every $1 spent on the reviews results in at least $10 of program savings, including both Medicare and Medicaid. There is a growing backlog of medical continuing disability reviews, and in the Budget Control Act, Congress authorized $13 billion in additional funding over the next ten years exclusively for these and other reviews.

The best way to protect the disability program is to prevent fraud before it occurs. The Cooperative Disability Investigation program does just that. This program is a joint effort between Social Security and the Office of Inspector General, working with the State Disability Determination Services and State or local law enforcement. Since 1998, efforts by these units nationwide have resulted in $3.1 billion in disability program savings. As impressive as some of these anti-fraud efforts appear, their very success raises questions about how many other examples of abuse are yet undetected.

The disability program is of vital importance to millions of Americans whose lives are changed forever by the onset of a disability. We need to protect that program for those who truly need its benefits. Waste, fraud, and abuse in the disability insurance program cheat honest, hardworking American taxpayers. As we work to secure the future of this program, we need to protect taxpayers from con artists who are stealing from the system by making sure benefits are paid only to those who deserve them -- an undertaking I know all of us on the Subcommittee stand firmly behind.

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Sam Johnson Hosts Mobile Office Hours on Thursday, January 19 in Frisco, McKinney, Plano and Richardson

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, January 19th the staff of U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) will host Mobile Office Hours in Frisco, McKinney, Plano and Richardson. No advance appointments are necessary. Times and locations are listed below.

Staff from the Congressman’s office regularly host Mobile Office Hours throughout the Third District to meet with constituents close to home. During Mobile Office Hours, Johnson’s aides gladly assist individuals facing problems with federal programs or agencies such as Medicare, Veterans’ Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Social Security Administration, or the Internal Revenue Service.

“Dealing with the red-tape and regulations in the federal agencies can be confusing,” says Johnson. “It’s my job and my privilege to help Third District constituents navigate the bureaucracy and get their questions answered.”

The Congressman’s staff also can help facilitate overseas adoptions, provide information regarding trips to Washington, D.C., and process requests to have American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol building. Anyone requesting assistance with a federal agency should bring all relevant documents and be prepared to sign a privacy disclaimer. Constituents who cannot attend the scheduled Mobile Office Hours are welcome to contact the Congressman’s Richardson office at (972) 470-0892. For more information, visitwww.samjohnson.house.gov and select “Get Help with a Federal Agency.”

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

FRISCO

George A. Purefoy Municipal Center

Front Lobby

6101 Frisco Square Boulevard

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

MCKINNEY

McKinney Performing Arts Center at the Historic Collin County Courthouse

Outer Entrance Area

111 North Tennessee

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

PLANO

Collin College

Spring Creek Campus

Lobby Area

2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

RICHARDSON

Civic Center

West Alcove Area

411 West Arapaho Road

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

House Passes 3 Sam Johnson Provisions Johnson’s legislation included in House Republican’s year-end Jobs package

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed three provisions authored by U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) in the latest Republican Jobs bill. The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, H.R. 3630, includes Johnson’s measures to prevent illegal immigrants from claiming the refundable child tax credit, to provide relief for physician owned hospitals, and to encourage business investment and job growth.

“It’s a great honor to have my legislation included in the Republican’s Jobs bill today,” said Johnson. “More importantly, it’s a great day for America when the House recognizes the importance of protecting taxpayer dollars, protecting our small businesses, and protecting citizens from the overreaching arms of the federal government. I hope the President and Senate recognize the significance of this legislation and pass it right away.”

Information on each of Johnson’s House-passed provisions follows.

Johnson’s Refundable Child Tax Credit Eligibility Verification Reform Act, H.R. 1956, is a common-sense bill that would require tax filers to provide their Social Security numbers to claim the popular refundable child tax credit.

Unfortunately, this refundable tax credit can be provided to an illegal immigrant so long as the immigrant is able to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS. Johnson’s provision will save the American taxpayer $9.4 billion and root out the rampant fraud and abuse of this credit.

In addition, Johnson has been a long time champion for physician owned hospitals, and has legislation, H.R. 1186, to protect patients and hospitals from government-controlled healthcare. These hospitals were given much needed relief in the House-passed bill with a Johnson-supported provision that would improve the process for physician owned hospitals to apply for expansion in order to meet the growing demands in the community. It also allows those hospitals that were under construction at the time the health care law was passed to move forward with physician ownership.

According to the Texas Physicians Hospitals Advocacy Center, patients access quality care in roughly 80 physician-owned hospitals, which employ over 22,000 people and added $2.3 billion to the Texas economy. Texas boasts the largest collection of physician-owned hospitals.

The Third Congressional District is home to many award winning facilities:

Baylor Frisco Medical Center; Baylor Surgicare of Garland; Baylor Surgicare of Plano;

North Garland Surgery Center; Forest Park Medical Center – Dallas; The Hospital at Craig Ranch – McKinney; Integra Rehab Hospital – Plano; McKinney 24 Hour Hospital; Methodist McKinney Hospital; Texas Health Plano Presbyterian Center for Diagnostics & Surgery; Reliant Rehab – North Texas (Richardson); The Heart HOSPITAL Baylor Plano; and Vista Hospital of Dallas.

Johnson’s third provision, H.R. 3366, is a bipartisan bill to help America’s business owners by ensuring companies can use bonus depreciation, a tax incentive designed to encourage investment and job growth, especially in the manufacturing sector.

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

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Sam Johnson – At Your Service December “Mobile Office Hours” on Thursday, December 15th in Frisco, McKinney and Plano

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, December 15^th the staff of U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) will host Mobile Office Hours in Frisco, McKinney and Plano. No advance appointments are necessary. Times and locations are listed below.

Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

FRISCO

George A. Purefoy Municipal Center

Front Lobby

6101 Frisco Square Boulevard

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

MCKINNEY

Collin College Central Park Campus

Front Lobby

2200 W. University

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

PLANO

Collin College Spring Creek Campus

Lobby Area

2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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Sam Johnson Honors Local Veterans At the Inaugural Congressional Veteran Commendation Ceremony

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) recognized the service and sacrifice of eleven local veterans at a public ceremony for his first annual Congressional Veteran Commendation (CVC). Johnson launched CVC in April 2011 as a way to formally recognize the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of residents of the Third District of Texas.

The CVC, in conjunction with the Veterans History Project sponsored by the Library of Congress, is a nominations-based program that preserves the personal accounts of veterans for future generations.

“I am proud to know great patriots like these veterans here in our own community,” said Johnson. “It is an honor to recognize their service to America. The Congressional Veteran Commendation is a wonderful way to ensure that their stories are passed down to our children and grandchildren as shining examples of patriotism and duty.”

An eight-member selection board comprised of local individuals dedicated to serving as leaders in their community advised and assisted in the nominations and selection process. Congressman Johnson, along with the selection board, recognized the inaugural group of recipients at the December 3^rd event in Plano. Johnson also presented a Congressional Record chronicling the veterans’ military service. Information on each honoree follows:

U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (ret.) Scott Bradley of Murphy served our country for 23 years. During Bradley’s deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his task was to secure and detail all insurgents coming through the hospital. For this, among many other heroic efforts, Bradley has been awarded t he Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, and two Army Achievement Medals. He also received the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal. Bradley now serves his community as a City Councilman in Murphy.

Thomas Garner of Plano joined the U.S. Army during World War II as part of the Air Corps. At the end of WWII, Garner entered the U.S. Air Force, where he deployed to Japan, Wake Island, Bermuda, Bangkok and Thailan during his 27 years of active duty service. Garner has also served with the Texas State Guard, receiving numerous awards and citations and achieving the rank of Colonel. Garner remains an active community servant with the Plan oCFW and Air Force Sergeant’s Association.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Allen Goehring, Jr. of Richardson has honorably served our country since 1986. Most recently, Goehring deployed to Iraq as a Criminal Investigations Division Special Agent with the 1149^th Military Police Detachment of the Texas Army National Guard. When home, Goehring works for the Richardson Police Department where he has received forty-two citizen and Departmental commendations – one including the Master Peace Officer, the highest certification available to an officer.

U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Robert Kinne of McKinney served an impressive 21-year career as a distinguished fighter pilot. Kinne flew numerous combat missions over Vietnam and received three Distinguished Flying Crosses, eight Air Medals, a Bronze Star, and two Meritorious Service Medals. Kinne remains closely involved with the community as a member of the Red River Valley Fighter Association, National Air and Space Society, and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Colonel Peter Malik of McKinney serves in the U.S. Army Reserve as Commander of the 90^th Sustainment Brigade in Little Rock, Arkansas. Malik has deployed for both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Malik’s brave efforts during combat have undoubtedly saved lives during enemy attacks. When stateside, Malik serves as an officer with the Dallas Police Department and a volunteer for the Dallas Military Ball, Assist the Officer Foundation, Texas Special Olympics, and Fisher House.

Chief Warrant Officer Elizabeth McCormick of Dallas served in the U.S. Army where she was quickly promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 and served as Rear Detachment C Company Commander during peacekeeping operations in Kosovo. For her excellent service, McCormick was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Army Aviator Badge. McCormick is now a Longaberger Consultant and President of the Firewheel Chapter of Women of Visionary influence.

Specialist Richard Oliver of Sachse served in the United States Army where he trained to perform decontamination of field units in the event of a combat nuclear exchange. Having served with great distinction, Oliver was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Drivers Badge. Oliver now serves Sachse as a Police Officer, through the Sachse Shares project, and as the driving force behind the annual Christmas food and toy drive for needy families.

Jim Reed of Plano served as a rifleman in the U.S. Marine Corps where he fought in World War II at the Battle of the Marshall Islands, the Battle of Saipan, the Battle of Tinian and the taking of Iwo Jima. Reed was severely wounded twice during combat, earning him two Purple Heart medals. A favorite speaker at Veterans Day events, Reed selflessly shares his story with all generations of Americans and serves veterans-support organizations around North Texas, including Daughters of WWII.

Captain George Robinson of Plano served 20 years in the U.S. Navy after graduating from the NROTC program at Princeton University and obtaining a Ph.D. in civil engineering through a four-year Marshall Scholarship in the United Kingdom. In 1974, Robinson became the third Naval Officer ever to be named a White House Fellow and was honored with the Legion of Merit upon retirement. Robinson remains active in many civic, professional and religious organizations.

U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Paul Simeon of Frisco is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. Simeon earned a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Certificate of Commendation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and Meritorious Mast and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals. Simeon serves as president of the Collin College chapter of Student Veterans of America in efforts to ease the transition for returning warriors from military service to academic life.

Sergeant Leni Mark Williams of McKinney served our country from 1942 to 1972 as part of three foreign wars: World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. For his exceptionally heroic efforts, Williams has received the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor Device and two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, and Parachute Badge. Williams is an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Lone Star Post 2150 in McKinney.

For more information about the Congressional Veteran Commendation, contact Johnson’s Richardson office at (972)470-0892.

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Sam Johnson Announces Inaugural Congressional Veteran Commendation Ceremony and Board

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) announced he will hold a public ceremony to honor local veterans selected for his first annual Congressional Veteran Commendation (CVC), a nominations-based program designed to formally recognize the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of Third District residents. The CVC runs in conjunction with the Veterans History Project sponsored by the Library of Congress.

When: Saturday, December 3, 2011 – 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Collin College Spring Creek Campus

John Anthony Theatre

2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway

Plano, TX 75074

Who: U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson

Dr. Cary Israel, President of Collin College

Congressional Veteran Commendation Selection Board

Why: The Congressional Veteran Commendation, in conjunction with the Veterans History Project sponsored by the Library of Congress, is a nominations-based program designed to formally recognize the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of residents of the Third Congressional District and to preserve their stories for future generations of Americans.

As a federal legislator, Johnson works tirelessly on behalf of U.S. military personnel and veterans. This program is just one way to highlight and bring honor to those who have faithfully served our nation.

An eight-member selection board serves as a group of advisors to assist with nominations and the selection of commendation recipients. The board is comprised of impressive individuals dedicated to serving as leaders in their communities and country. Information on each member, who will serve on the selection board for a four-year term, follows:

Tracey Cline of the Allen Economic Development Corporation is an avid community servant and local leader. Cline received the Spirit of Allen Award in 2009, naming her the city’s standout resident of the year. Cline lives in Allen with her husband Larry and daughter Jenney. Their son Jonathan recently graduated from Baylor University and joined the United States Army.

Jim Dolan is founder and president of Heroes on the Water, an Allen-based non-profit organization that leads kayak and fishing excursions for wounded warriors. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1976, Dolan served as a pilot in the Air Force for 13 years including 8 years stationed abroad. Dolan now flies for American Airlines.

Chad Hennings, also a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, is a decorated military and football veteran. Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1988, Hennings postponed entering the NFL to fulfill his commitment to the Air Force. During his four-year stint as an Air Force pilot, Hennings flew 45 missions in support of Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq. Hennings then spent his entire nine-year NFL career with Dallas, retiring in 2001 after playing on three Super Bowl championship teams. Hennings is the founder of Wingman Ministries.

Karen Marks is a Plano resident and proud U.S. Marine Corps Mom. A leader within the Plano West Rotary and Blue Star Mothers Lone Star Chapter 6, Karen heads up the organizations’ joint “Battle of the Branches” blood drive each year just before Veterans Day. Marks also plays an integral role in Plano’s annual Sunset at Memorial Park ceremony.

Jason Morgan of McKinney is former U.S. Air Force Special Ops and a wounded warrior. Morgan lost the use of both legs when his team was ambushed during a counter-narcotics action in Ecuador in 2000. Thanks to Canine Companions for Independence, an organization he proudly promotes, Morgan now travels the country with his service dog, Nepal, winning countless medals for Team Air Force in the Wounded Warrior games and encouraging others to overcome adversity.

Tim Nelson is a businessman and community leader in Frisco. He serves on the Frisco City Council, Place 5. A Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, Nelson recently deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. With past deployments to Iraq and Kuwait among others, Nelson is the recipient of such accolades as the Bronze Star and two Meritorious Service Medals. Nelson, Cubmaster of Frisco’s Cub Scout Pack 282 and active member of VFW Post 8273, lives with his wife Candice and their children in Frisco.

Collin County Judge Keith Self is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with over 25 years of distinguished military service. Self spent nine of those years in the 82^nd Airborne Division and Green Berets, first retiring from active duty in 1999. He was recalled to active duty from 2002-2003 to serve at U.S. Central Command in Afghanistan and Qatar during preparations for the Iraq invasion. Self lives in McKinney with his wife Tracy and serves on the boards of The Samaritan Inn and Prestonwood Pregnancy Center.

Patrick Sowers is the founder of Operation Once in a Lifetime, a Plano-based non-profit which raises funds for specific projects to make the dreams of soldiers and their families reality. Just this month, the organization granted the dream of Jeffrey and John Adams, two sons of Army Master Seargeant Daniel Adams who recently lost his life in Afghanistan. The boys were honored by the Pittsburgh Steelers during their favorite football team’s nationally televised game. Sowers is a former U.S. Army Sergeant, proud father, and Allen resident.

Board members will be present at the December 3rd ceremony to assist in announcing the commendation recipients. In addition, an in-depth interview of each honoree may be conducted and forwarded to the Veterans History Project to be added to the Library of Congress collection.

For more information about the program, contact Johnson’s Richardson office at (972) 470-0892.

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Sam Johnson Introduces the Keeping IDs Safe Act

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) introduced the Keeping IDs Safe Act to better protect Americans’ Social Security numbers.

Since 1980, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been required to make publically available the Death Master File – a file containing the personal information of Americans who have died. Recently, the Death Master File has recently become a resource for criminals seeking to capitalize on Americans’ identities – specifically the identities of deceased children.

“That’s just wrong,” stated Johnson, who serves as Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee. “Worrying about a loved one’s Social Security number is the last thing a grieving family should have to do.”

To make matters worse, each year approximately 14,000 individuals are incorrectly listed as deceased on the Death Master File, according to SSA. Mistakenly being placed on this list can cause severe financial hardship, such as the loss of benefits.

Despite the SSA Inspector General’s recommendation that the Death Master File should limit personal information to the absolute minimum and consider alternatives to displaying Social Security numbers, recent news reports reveal that the IRS flagged 350,000 potentially fraudulent 2010 returns requesting $1.25 billion in refunds using deceased Americans’ information.

“We need to stop making it so easy for criminals to gain access to our personal information. This bill will stop the sale of the Death Master File immediately, better protecting Americans against fraud,” said Johnson.

In a related matter, Johnson took to the House floor to introduce the Keeping IDs Safe Act. Remarks follow:

“Since 1980, Social Security has been required to publically put deceased Americans’ personal information into a so-called Death Master File which was meant to help prevent payment and benefit fraud. Nearly anyone can get this information – including identity thieves.

Identity theft affects not only swindled businesses and American taxpayers, but grieving families whose suffering is made worse when they learn that someone has been preying on the death of their loved ones. Criminals are exploiting this information in order to profit off of deceased children by applying for tax refunds.

That’s plain wrong.

Every year, Social Security puts about 14,000 Americans in this death file who aren’t dead. Any of us could be put on that list by mistake- a mistake that can result in severe financial hardship and emotional heartache.

Americans deserve better. So today I am introducing the Keeping IDs Safe Act to stop the sale of the Death Master File immediately. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”

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Sam Johnson Calls for Passage of Balanced Budget Amendment

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) took to the House floor to call for immediate passage of a balanced budget amendment. Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties. Remarks follow.

“This month, America’s national debt will reach the unprecedented level of 15 trillion dollars. That comes out to nearly $48,000 for every American. Under President Obama, the national debt has increased faster than under any other U.S. President in history! Now more than ever, it is time to get our nation’s fiscal house in order to prevent another big fat Greek catastrophe.

The American people have made it abundantly clear that Congress should balance the federal budget, just like families and business owners across the country have to do every single day. A balanced budget amendment is the solution we need to break Washington’s over spending habit.

I encourage the President and my colleagues in the Senate to pass the balanced budget amendment and send it to the states. Americans want, need and deserve to know that we will be as careful with our national budget as they are with their household budget.”

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Give Thanks

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 GMT

How will you celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday weekend? Will you travel to spend time with loved ones? Will you savor a delicious turkey meal with all of the yummy fixins? Will you watch football and pray for a Cowboys victory? Will you stand in line for the Black Friday sales at midnight?

The wonderful traditions of Thanksgiving mean many different things to many different people. But it also kicks off a season of excess for some – too much eating, too much shopping, too many demands, too many to-dos, and too much spending. Is that how you want to celebrate the spirit of joy and peace with your loved ones?

As Thanksgiving officially launches the Christmas season, I challenge you to think about adding intentionally practicing gratitude for the blessing of freedom among your holiday traditions with a few simple ideas.

First, start your Thanksgiving meal with a prayer of protection and gratitude for our troops in harm’s way – and their loved ones. As a Prisoner of War for nearly seven years, more than half of that time in solitary confinement, I know how isolating it can be to feel lonely and to long for the warm embrace of a spouse and the soft touch of a child’s hand. Don’t just thank the cooks and the hands who prepared the feast. Thanks those who made the blessing of freedom possible.

Building on that, ask any veterans gathered around the table about his or her service in the armed forces and what that time meant to them. Maybe grandpa has a few sea stories to share. If he or she is not up for it, express your interest in hearing about it at another time and perhaps documenting that for antiquity in the Library of Congress through the Veterans History Project. (Learn more at www.loc.gov/vhp or call my office for details at 972-470-0892.)

Second, invite some neighborhood kids over for a holiday card- making party with the sole intention of sending the greetings to the popular “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program through the Red Cross. It’s so important that our service members know we are thinking about the sacrifice they – and their loved ones- are making. From now until December 9^th, the public may send holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation by mailing them to Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456. Go to www.redcross.org to learn about the guidelines and more.

Third, greet the troops at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Take along the kids and make sure to tote along homemade signs and banners to convey your enthusiasm for their sacrifice. The popular “Welcome Home a Hero” program right here at DFW Airport is by far one of the most rewarding things you can do with your time in the name of freedom this holiday season. You get to spend the holidays with loved ones. In many cases, they don’t. Greeting the troops on R&R is one more tangible way for you to teach - not preach - to your children about the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make. Download the information and instruction packet at www.ntc-dfw.org/temp/randr.pdf or call 972-574-0392 to learn more.

There are so many worthy causes calling for our time, talent and thoughts this Christmas. I hope you’ll consider creating a tradition of celebrating the blessings of freedom with gratitude for our men and women in the armed forces.

Former President Ronald Reagan said it best. “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

God bless you and God bless America. Happy Thanksgiving.

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Sam Johnson says "I stand in support of freedom of speech."

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT

One minute on healthcare

Sam Johnson speaks up on heath care

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

One minute on the House floor

Johnson denounces costly health care propsal

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Johnson denounces costly health care propsal

Johnson denounces national energy tax

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Johnson denounces national energy tax

Congressman Johnson talks health reform

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Johnson talks health reform

Johnson assails Administration moving Gitmo detainee to New York City

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Johnson assails Administration moving Gitmo detainee to New York City

Johnson calls for Social Security reform

Thu, 14 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Johnson calls for Social Security reform

Johnson reintroduces worksite enforcement bill

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Johnson reintroduces worksite enforcement bill

Congressman Johnson calls for fiscal responsibility

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Johnson calls for fiscal responsibility

Congressman Johnson addresses the Presidents budget

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Johnson addresses the Presidents budget