Editor's note: Story updated with changes and additions throughout.
Former U.S. Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt, the long-time and popular Congressman of Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District and one of only two Republicans to defeat Bill Clinton in an election, has died. He was 92.
Hammerschmidt defeated Democrat and popular U.S. Rep. Jim Trimble in 1966 to capture the seat. He held the District until retiring in January 1993, having worked with six U.S. Presidents. For most of his years in Congress, Hammerschmidt was the only Republican in the Arkansas Congressional Delegation.
Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, D-Fayetteville, said Hammerschmidt was an “advocate and mentor” to many people across the state and nation. Lindsey served on the Northwest Arkansas Council in its early years, and worked closely with Hammerschmidt on Council goals – which included construction of Interstate 49 through western Arkansas, construction of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA), and construction of the Two-ton water system that now serves Benton and Washington counties.
“The whole bedrock of what Northwest Arkansas is rests on his shoulders. ... From the time the Council started in 1990, John Paul was always a leading advocate for the Third District, and in fact the entire state,” Lindsey said.
Continuing, Lindsey noted: “Arkansas has lost a great statesmen and the people of Arkansas have lost a good friend. We will miss him and we will miss all the many things he did to help Arkansans have a better and full life.”
Lindsey said Hammerschmidt was largely responsible for securing in 1991 more than $100 million to begin work on the interstate between Alma and Fayetteville. He was “instrumental in getting Federal Aviation Administration awards” of at least $70 million for work to begin on XNA. Lindsey also said Hammerschmidt secured $50 million in funds to begin the expansion of U.S. 412 across north Arkansas.
“As we liked to call him, he was Arkansas’ third Senator,” Lindsey said.
Hammerschmidt also was an active legislative sponsor in creating the Buffalo National River area for inclusion into the national parks system. He began pushing during his freshman year in Congress to protect the river from plans by the U.S. Corps of Engineers to dam the river. His tough battle with the Corps was successful, and in 1972 the bill designating the river as part of the National Park Service was signed by President Richard Nixon.
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, and who now represents the 3rd District, issued this statement: “Today is an extremely sad day for the Third District and the entire state of Arkansas. John Paul Hammerschmidt was a statesman and one of our most steadfast advocates – he always put Arkansas first. As the lone Republican in our delegation for many years, John Paul proudly fought to protect Arkansas’s conservative values in Congress while working bipartisanly to bring critical transportation infrastructure to the Third District, enabling northwest Arkansas’s explosive growth. For this work and for his legendary constituent service, he garnered enormous respect. Simply put, no one did it better. He leaves behind a grateful state forever indebted for his decades of service. My prayers are with his family.”
Gov. Asa Hutchinson issued this statement: “John Paul Hammerschmidt was an icon of Arkansas and Washington politics. For years, he was the lone Republican member of Arkansas’s congressional delegation, representing the Third Congressional District for 13 terms. As such, he balanced his conservative convictions with a unique ability to work across party lines and accomplish great things for the people of Arkansas. His was the voice heard most clearly and often in the bipartisan effort to preserve the Buffalo as the first National River in the United States.
“Congressman Hammerschmidt was also a leader on transportation issues, helping to build Arkansas’s roads and highways and making the state more competitive nationally. On a personal note, John Paul was a mentor of mine. I was privileged to hold his seat in Congress, and I called on his wise counsel and advice countless times. I will miss him greatly. The state has lost a true statesman and a good man.”
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., issued this statement: “Today, I join all Arkansans in mourning the death former Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt. A proud son of Harrison, John Paul was a decorated World War II pilot who represented Arkansas in Congress for 26 years. His contributions to Arkansas’s infrastructure system were invaluable and his legacy lives on in highways, waterways, and bridges across our state.
“John Paul Hammerschmidt was also a Republican leader for Arkansas in an era when not too many others were. His leadership and commitment to the Republican Party of Arkansas paved the way for every Republican elected official in Arkansas today. Arkansas is a better place because of his service to our state. We extend our deepest condolences to his son, John Arthur, and continue to lift the entire Hammerschmidt family up in prayer.”
Treasurer of State Dennis Milligan issued this statement about Hammerschmidt: “I am deeply sadden to hear of the passing of my dear friend, mentor and party stalwart, John Paul Hammerschmidt. Tina and I offer our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
“I had the opportunity to work with Congressman Hammerschmidt as a party chairman and candidate. I was honored to have his support during my campaign and always valued his advice and insights. He will be deeply missed.”
HAMMERSCHMIDT BIO
Hammerschmidt was born May 4, 1922 in Boone County, Ark., and graduated from Harrison High School in 1938. His family was in the lumber business.
He attended The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., in 1938-1939, and the University of Arkansas in 1940 and 1941. After his Congressional career, Hammerschmidt would complete a master’s program at Canbourne University in London, England.
During World War II, Hammerschmidt was a pilot with the U.S. Army Air Corps and flew cargo planes over the famous but treacherous “Burma Hump” in southeast Asia. He remained a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves between 1945 and 1960. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying cross with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, three Battle Stars, the China War Memorial Medal (by the Republic of China), and the Meritorious Service Award. He retired from the Air Force reserve as a major.
His private sector work included being president of Hammerschmidt Lumber Co. in Harrison, president of the Arkansas Lumber Dealers Association, and president of the Southwestern Lumberman’s Association.
Hammerschmidt also served on the Board of Directors of Southwestern Energy Co., Little Rock-based Dillard’s, First Federal Bank, the University of the Ozarks (Clarksville, Ark.), and the Washington (D.C.) Metropolitan Airports Authority Board.
He was a delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984. His other political service includes being a member of the Harrison City Council.