Rep. Ted Poe has conferred upon Rep. Matt Salmon one of the highest honors his office can help provide: He’s made his fellow Republican lawmaker an honorary Texan.  

The Texas Republican said Salmon, who serves alongside him on the Foreign Affairs Committee — “We’re personal friends,” Poe said — shares several defining characteristics with native-born Texans. Poe said Salmon values independence. He’s fairly outspoken. And he displays that certain ruggedness required of those who reside in border states.  

“I thought it was appropriate to make him an honorary Texan and give him dual citizenship,” Poe said of the surprise distinction for the Arizona Republican.  

The award, which is administered by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, does not, sadly, bestow any additional rights or privileges on the recipient.  

“It just gives him [Salmon] a little more dignity,” Poe quipped.  

Salmon thought the entire thing was just a hoot.  

He told HOH he’s visited Texas on various occasions, including summering in El Paso as a child. These days, Salmon said he’s more apt to swing by the Lucchese Boot Outlet. He spoke affectionately about trips to Dallas and Fort Worth, recounted a deer hunting trip to South Texas he took last winter (the buck he killed now adorns the wall in his home office) and noted that he’s heading to San Antonio during the August recess to attend the wedding of his scheduler.  

Salmon is the first and only lawmaker Poe has petitioned to bring into the fold. He has, however, welcomed several members of his inner circle — including Gina Santucci, his New Yorker chief of staff, and Shaylyn Hynes, his Virginian communications director — into the extended family.  

“I made all of them honorary Texans,” Poe said of his ongoing conversion efforts.