FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – Former Republican Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt died at the age of 92, officials say.
According to North Arkansas College, Hammerschmidt represented the third district of Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives from Jan. 3, 1967, to Jan. 3, 1993.
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge called Hammerschmidt her “friend and mentor” in a tweet on Wednesday (April 1). She said, “I am heartbroken by the news that my dear friend and mentor, Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt, has passed away.”
Gov. Asa Hutchinson released the following statement on Hammerschmidt’s death:
“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.”
Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin released the following statement:
“I am saddened by the passing of my longtime friend and Arkansas legend, Congressman Hammerschmidt. He will always be remembered for his remarkable and strong leadership. Even though he was elected by only a portion of Arkansas as a Member of Congress, he was a leader for all of Arkansas and recognized nationally as such. He was a trailblazer and will be missed greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders released the following statement:
“The City of Fort Smith and our citizens have lost a loyal friend. John Paul Hammerschmidt was an outstanding congressman for our region, and for all of Arkansas. Even though he retired from public service years ago, we reap the rewards of his work daily, through the commerce being conducted at Chaffee Crossing – on land that once belonged to Fort Chaffee – and the interstate that links Sebastian and Crawford Counties to Washington and Benton Counties.”
