John Paul Hammerschmidt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Paul Hammerschmidt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by	James William Trimble
Succeeded by	Tim Hutchinson
Chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party
In office 1964–1966
Preceded by	William L. Spicer
Succeeded by	Odell Pollard
In office 2002–2004
Preceded by	Lloyd Vance Stone Jr.
Succeeded by	Winthrop Paul Rockefeller
Republican National Committeeman from Arkansas
In office 1976–1980
Preceded by	Odell Pollard
Succeeded by	A. Lynn Lowe
Personal details
Born	(1922-05-04)May 4, 1922 Harrison, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	April 1, 2015(2015-04-01) (aged 92) Springdale, Arkansas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Virginia Sharp
Children	1
Alma mater	Oklahoma State University (BS)
Occupation	Lumberman; Entrepreneur
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Army Air Corps United States Air Force Reserve District of Columbia Army Reserves
Years of service	1942–1945 (Army Air Corps) 1945–1960 (Reserves) 1977–1981 (Army Reserves)
Battles/wars	World War II (South-East Asian theatre)
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak leaf clusters

John Paul Hammerschmidt (born May 4, 1922 – died April 1, 2015) was an American politician from Arkansas. He was a member of the Republican Party.

Hammerschmidt served for 26 years in the United States House of Representatives. He represented Arkansas's 3rd congressional district from 1967 until he retired in 1993. This district is in the northwestern part of Arkansas.

In 1974, he won his fifth term by defeating Bill Clinton, who was 28 years old at the time. Hammerschmidt was the first Republican from Arkansas elected to the House of Representatives since the Reconstruction era. He left the House in the same month that Bill Clinton became president.

Early Life and Military Service

John Paul Hammerschmidt was born in Harrison, Arkansas. He was one of five children. His grandparents came to Boone County in the early 1900s and were of German descent. He finished high school in Harrison in 1938.

He went to The Citadel in South Carolina from 1938 to 1939. He also attended the University of Arkansas from 1940 to 1941.

Hammerschmidt served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. From 1942 to 1945, he was part of the 3rd Combat Cargo Group. He served in the China-Burma-India theater of the war. For his brave service, Hammerschmidt received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He earned this award three times.

After the war, Hammerschmidt returned to the United States. He studied at Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) from 1945 to 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree there.

Business Career

After college, Hammerschmidt joined the lumber industry. He worked at the Hammerschmidt Lumber Company, which his grandfather had started. He later became the president of the company.

He also led the Construction Products Company. He was president of the Arkansas Lumber Dealers Association. He also led the Southwestern Lumberman's Association.

Hammerschmidt continued his military service in the United States Air Force Reserves from 1945 to 1960. Later, he served in the District of Columbia Army Reserves from 1977 to 1981.

Political Career

Hammerschmidt was an important figure in the Republican Party. He was a delegate to many Republican National Conventions. These conventions took place in 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, and 1988.

He served as the state chairman for the Republican Party of Arkansas twice. His first term was from 1964 to 1966. His second term was from 2002 to 2004.

Entering Congress

In the 1966 election, Hammerschmidt won the Republican nomination. He then defeated the long-serving Democrat, James William Trimble. Hammerschmidt won by more than nine thousand votes.

He became the first Republican to represent Arkansas in Congress since the Reconstruction era. He was re-elected twelve more times. He served for 26 years, from January 3, 1967, to January 3, 1993.

Hammerschmidt in 2007

Hammerschmidt became very popular in his district. This was unusual because most people there had never been represented by a Republican before. He rarely faced a close election after his first win.

Defeating Bill Clinton

In the 1974 election, he faced Bill Clinton. Clinton was a law professor at the University of Arkansas at the time. Hammerschmidt defeated Clinton by only 6,400 votes.

Clinton had criticized Hammerschmidt for supporting Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal. After this close race, Hammerschmidt was re-elected without opposition in 1976.

Later Career and Public Service

Hammerschmidt was a member of the President's Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism (PCAST). This group was formed in 1989. It reviewed aviation security after the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.

He had a conservative voting record on foreign policy and social issues. However, he was more moderate on economic issues. He supported a constitutional amendment to protect the American flag.

Hammerschmidt was a Presbyterian. He was also a member of several community groups. These included the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Freemasons, and Rotary International. From 1999 to 2004, he was a trustee for Arkansas State University.

John Paul Hammerschmidt passed away at age 92. He died in Springdale, Arkansas, from heart and respiratory failure.

Legacy and Recognition

John Paul Hammerschmidt left a lasting impact on Arkansas.

• A special fellowship was created in his name at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith. This allows a student to work in the 3rd congressional district office.
• The John Paul Hammerschmidt Federal Building in Fayetteville is named after him. It houses a federal court office.
• A section of Interstate 49 in Arkansas in northwest Arkansas is called the John Paul Hammerschmidt Highway.
• He was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1990.