Meet John Cornyn
Early Life and Education
Senator Cornyn was born in Houston on February 2, 1952, the second of three children of Gale and John Cornyn, both native Texans.
Senator Cornyn’s father was a B-17 pilot in World War II and served our country faithfully for 31 years. Raised as he was in a military family, Senator Cornyn traveled a great deal growing up. At various points, he and his family lived in Houston, El Paso, and San Antonio, Texas; Biloxi, Mississippi; Kensington, Maryland; and Tokyo, Japan.
In 1973, Senator Cornyn earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Trinity University in San Antonio. He earned his Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1977.
While serving as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court, Senator Cornyn earned his Master of Laws degree from the University of Virginia in 1995.
The Cornyn Family
In 1977 at the age of 25, Senator Cornyn met his future wife, Sandy Hansen, on a blind date. They were married in 1979 and have two daughters, Danley and Haley.
Sandy Cornyn is the Treasurer of the Spouses of the Senate Club, a group that meets weekly while the Senate is in session. Sandy is also a member of the Texas Federation of Republican Women and the Austin Republican Women’s Club. She is a member of Congressional Families Action for Cancer Awareness. Sandy is also active in International Club I, which consists of spouses of members of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the United States Government, as well as those of the Washington Press and Diplomatic Corps, and promotes goodwill and international understanding.
Core Values
Senator Cornyn believes that the first duty of government is to protect and defend individual liberty. He believes in a strong national defense and works to ensure that all our men and women in uniform have the tools and resources they need to win America’s wars, deter the enemies of freedom, and respond to any threat.
Senator Cornyn recognizes the power of individual entrepreneurs to create jobs and opportunities for themselves and for others. He believes government must not pick winners and losers in the marketplace, but instead ensure maximum opportunity for everyone to participate in the next chapter of American economic expansion. He champions low taxes, sensible regulation, and open markets for America’s workers, farmers, and ranchers.
Senator Cornyn respects the values that have strengthened families and communities for generations and reduced dependence on government. He honors the sanctity and dignity of human life. He believes judges must uphold the fundamental liberties codified in our Bill of Rights, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the right to keep and bear arms.
