Plano, TX – U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) is pleased to announce the 36th annual Congressional Art Competition is now underway.  This is an annual art competition for high school students to showcase their talent and artwork.  First place winners in each of the congressional districts across the nation will have their artwork displayed at the United States Capitol.

Congressman Johnson encourages all Collin County high school student artists to participate.      

“Our community is blessed with many talented student artists, and this annual competition gives them an opportunity to share their talent with their neighbors and peers,” said Johnson.  “I encourage all students who are interested to enter, and I look forward to seeing the art subjects and ideas that inspire them.  I also look forward to welcoming this year’s winner and their artwork to our Nation’s Capitol in June!”

About the Art Competition

The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students, whether they attend public, private, or home schools.

In late April, entries will be displayed on Congressman Johnson’s website for the public to view and vote for their favorite.  The winning artist will receive the People's Choice Award.  Congressman Johnson will also host an art exhibit and award ceremony to display entries and announce the First, Second, and Third Place winners as well as Honorable Mention winners.

The First Place Winner will have the rare and unique opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year.  This student will also have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. courtesy of Southwest Airlines, meet with Congressman Johnson, and attend an award ceremony where their artwork will join other first prize entries from other Congressional Districts for an exclusive unveiling ceremony.

In addition, the Second Place Winner’s artwork will be proudly displayed in Congressman Johnson’s district office in Plano for one year.

IMPORTANT DATES

• April 9:  Deadline to RSVP to participate. RSVP must be made by a student’s parent or teacher.  See Guidelines and Participation Rules.
• April 16: Deadline to contact Johnson staff and schedule a pick-up at the student’s school.  Artwork may also be dropped off at the Plano office without appointment.  
• April 19 at 5:00 pm: Deadline for artwork + student information and release form to be submitted.
• May 14: Congressional Art Competition Awards Ceremony in McKinney, Texas

Guidelines and Participation Rules

Please note a few key guidelines, keeping in mind that this is NOT the full list (which can be found in the link below):

1)      The competition is open to high school students who currently reside in the Third District.  Please be aware that not all students reside in the same district they attend school.

2)      PARENTS OR TEACHERS must RSVP via email for any student who wishes to participate in the competition.

3)      Only ONE entry per student.

4)      The submitted artwork must be “ready to hang” (i.e.  Dry/no wet paint; on canvas; framed with hooks or wire on the backing; etc.). 

CLICK HERE for the full list of Rules and Regulations.

How to Enter

Students interested in participating in this year’s Congressional Art Competition must complete the following steps:

Step 1: Have their parent or teacher email an RSVP for the Competition to Jessica Corder (Jessica.corder@mail.house.gov) in Congressman Johnson’s Plano Office no later than April 9^th.  The RSVP must include the student's name, hometown, art teacher, and school.

Step 2: Students must submit their finished artwork entries ALONG WITH their completed student information and release form no later than April 19^th. 

Students may submit their original artwork one of two ways:

1)      Contact Jessica Corder (469-304-0382; Jessica.corder@mail.house.gov) to schedule a pick-up at their local school.

• If scheduling a pick-up, you must contact Ms. Corder no later than April 16^th to schedule a time.  Pick-up will occur only between April 16^th and 19^th. 

2)      Drop off their artwork submission at Congressman Johnson’s Plano office.

• 1255 W 15th Street, Suite 170
  Plano, Texas 75075

IMPORTANT:

• Student artwork MUST meet all of the Rules and Regulations.
• The Student Information and Release Form must be completed and will be collected at either the scheduled artwork pick-up time or when the student drops their artwork off at Congressman Johnson’s Plano office.  Artwork without the proper paperwork will be ineligible.

FULL LIST OF RULES AND REGULATIONS

STUDENT INFORMATION & RELEASE FORM 

ART SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

For questions, please contact Jessica Corder (469-304-0382; Jessica.corder@mail.house.gov).

Additional information about the Competition can be found on Johnson's website: CLICK HERE.

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PLANO, TX – This week the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) received and accepted the long-awaited federal permit needed to construct the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir.  The permit, issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, comes just in time – tremendous population growth in North Texas, coupled with a deficit of rain over the last decade, has put the region at a serious risk of a water shortage without this new reservoir in place by 2022. 

The federal permit process was expedited thanks to Congressman Sam Johnson’s (TX-03) bipartisan amendment included in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act (S. 612), which was signed into law on December 16, 2016.  The amendment was co-sponsored by North Texas Representatives Pete Sessions, John Ratcliffe, and Eddie Bernice Johnson.

“This permit is GREAT news for North Texans,” said Johnson.  “Drought is no stranger to Texas, which is why making sure we have the water we need has been a longstanding priority of mine.  Many folks may not be aware that our existing local reservoirs will soon be unable to meet the water demands of our area.  You see, at Collin County’s current rate of projected population growth, by 2022 there is a high risk of a water shortage unless this new reservoir is built.  And the impact of not having this new reservoir would impact daily lives as well as our local economy.  This goes beyond just watering the yard.  It’s about water from the faucet.  But with four years needed to build and fill the reservoir, we’ve been cutting it close. I am proud to have successfully led the bipartisan effort with my neighboring colleagues to expedite the issuance of the permit.  North Texans want, need, and deserve access to clean, reliable water – and it’s great to see the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir finally becoming a reality.” 

"We appreciate the tremendous support from Sam Johnson as well as other Congressional leaders and legislators who fought to help us get construction started as soon as possible," said Tom Kula, NTMWD Executive Director.  "They recognize that securing this critical water source is vital for the future of north Texas and supporting residents and economic prosperity in our fast-growing region."

“After years of hard work and engagement with several federal agencies, I am pleased to see leadership at the EPA, Region 6 and the Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District have agreed to proceed with a positive permit decision for North Texas Municipal Water District’s Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir Project,” Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) said.  “This project is essential to meet the needs of our rapidly expanding region and will ensure North Texas communities have access to the resources they need to continue to grow and prosper. I thank all the parties involved for their diligent work on this issue.”

“I’m very pleased that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has finally issued the long-awaited federal permit for the construction of the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir,” stated Congressman John Ratcliffe (TX-04).  “After a decades-long, hard-fought battle on this important issue, I’m hopeful that construction will begin quickly, so the people of Northeast Texas can benefit from the positive impact it will have on the region.”

“This is extremely good news for North Texas and the future of water delivery in the region,” said Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30).  “I am proud to have joined my colleagues in the Texas Delegation in seeing this through.  The population in North Texas is expected to grow precipitously and completion of the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir project will ensure that we can meet our water needs into the foreseeable future.  I would like to congratulate and thank everyone involved for this bipartisan effort.”

Legislative Background:

On September 28, 2016, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Johnson’s amendment to expedite the federal approval of the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir as part of the Water Resources Development Act (H.R. 5303).  It was then modified in conference committee and included in S. 612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act. Former-President Obama signed S. 612 into law on December 16, 2016.

Specifically, Johnson’s 2016 amendment required the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to expedite the federal permitting process for the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir, and also required a report to Congress on its progress. Johnson authored the amendment because federal regulators had already spent nearly a decade reviewing the project, and the permitting process appeared far from over. As required by the amendment, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submitted a report to Congress in July of 2017 with an updated timeline that anticipated a final Record of Decision to be finalized by January 2018.

PLANO, TX – With the deadline for U.S. Service Academy applications approaching (November 13, 2017), the office of U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) invites students to reach out for any last minute questions or assistance.

“I thank all our students who are interested in serving our Great Nation by entering one of our fine U.S. Service Academies,” said Johnson.  “Only the best of the best young leaders are selected for this grueling but rewarding education.  North Texas is home to many outstanding students, and I wish good luck to all our applicants.  Please know my staff and I are here to answer any last minutes questions should you need anything.  God bless you and I salute you!”

NOMINATION INFORMATION:

The student’s completed nomination application and the other required documentation must be returned in its entirety to Johnson’s Plano office no later than Monday, November 13, 2017. 

CLICK HERE for Johnson’s 2017 Recommendation Form for students interested in attending U.S. Service Academies. This is NOT the nomination application form.  It is the recommendation form that must be completed by a teacher, principal, employer, coach, or someone (nonfamily) who is familiar with the applicant's academic, leadership, and athletic aptitudes.  Two recommendations must be included with the completed application packet.

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PLANO, TX –U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) will continue to accept applications for the 14th – and FINAL – annual Congressional Youth Advisory Council (CYAC) through September 7th at 5:00 pm.      

“Because Collin County has many outstanding students and the application process for CYAC can be competitive, I encourage students to thoughtfully prepare their applications as the deadline fast approaches.  Any student interested in learning about our government through first-hand civic participation should consider this opportunity.  Because this will be the program’s final year, we have some exciting things already on the books.  I look forward to meeting the 2017-2018 CYAC class soon!”    

The CYAC program was formed in 2004 to gain insight from students in Collin County and to inspire civic-minded young adults to achieve their full potential and begin building a legacy of service.  Students selected for CYAC will meet with Congressman Johnson and other civic leaders at least four times during the school year to learn about the development of public policy while exploring the role of citizens, lawmakers, experts, and those institutions that directly impact the world’s most successful democracy.

CYAC is open to Third District high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in public, private, or home schools.  They must exhibit leadership, strong academic performance, and community service. Each student is permitted to participate once during their high school career.

For more information and to apply, please visit Congressman Johnson’s website. If you have any questions, please contact Meagan Talton at (469)-304-0382 or Meagan.Talton@mail.house.gov.  

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PLANO, TX – With only a few days left to nominate local veterans for the final Congressional Veteran Commendation (CVC) Award, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) encourages folks to consider their family, friends, neighbors, and work colleagues for this prestigious honor.  Johnson established the annual CVC to publicly recognize the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of Collin County’s military veterans.  It is a nominations-based award – anyone may nominate a veteran, and they may nominate as many veterans as they would like. 

The deadline to nominate veterans ends Thursday, July 27 that 5:00 pm central.

Due to the fact this is Rep. Johnson’s last term in office, this will also be the final year to nominate someone for a Congressional Veteran Commendation.

“North Texas is home to many men and women who have donned the uniform in defense of Freedom,” said Johnson.  “What’s more, many of these patriots continue to serve their community in a variety of ways after they retire from active duty.  To honor these exceptional hometown heroes, it is my distinct honor and privilege to provide an opportunity for our community to thank these veterans for their service and sacrifice.  That is where my Congressional Veteran Commendation (CVC) ceremony comes into play.  This annual, nominations-based program is designed to not only honor these exceptional veterans, but to inspire others to build a legacy of service.  I look forward to learning more about this year’s nominees and having a large community turnout later this year to honor our local heroes.”

For additional information about this program and to download a nomination form, please CLICK HERE.  If you have any questions, please contact Megan Foreman at megan.foreman@mail.house.gov.

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