[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 166 (Tuesday, December 20, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S14175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRESSMAN MURTHA
Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, one of the reasons I love and respect my
wife Teresa Heinz Kerry so very much is because she has always
maintained the strength of her convictions. She speaks her mind, and
she speaks the truth. I am especially proud of her passionate defense
of her fellow Pennsylvanian--the decorated veteran and respected
military expert, Representative Jack Murtha. In a recent essay,
Teresa's powerful words spoke of Jack Murtha's courage and integrity
rose above the disparaging and unconscionable words of those who
smeared him. As I read what she wrote, I realized why this issue had
struck such a chord with her--and why she was able to speak with such
incredible clarity--because, as someone who grew up under a
dictatorship, Teresa believes deeply in the freedom of every American
to speak their mind without fear of condemnation.
The characteristics we all admire in Representative Murtha--honesty,
compassion, strength and patriotism--are the characteristics that make
Teresa such an incredible citizen. I am glad she spoke out, and for
that reason, I ask that her words be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
[From CNHI News Service]
(By Teresa Heinz Kerry)
Assault on Murtha Should Alarm Us All
``Because we in Congress are charged with sending our sons
and daughters into battle, it is our responsibility, our
obligation, to speak out for them. That's why I am speaking
out.''
U.S. Rep. John Murtha, Nov. 17, ``War In Iraq.''
U.S. Rep. John Murtha completely changed the public debate
in our country by calling for an immediate redeployment of
our troops in Iraq. Whether you agree or disagree with his
specific proposal is not the point--but his critics' words
demand a response. Murtha speaks with special authority.
His national security credentials are impeccable. His
patriotism is unwavering. His influence on national defense
is unsurpassed. None in Congress spends as much time as
Murtha with the wounded from the Iraq war. His voice on
matters of national defense deserves--indeed, commands--great
respect. This is why his political opponents think him so
dangerous. The orchestrated assault on Murtha should alarm us
all. Just when you thought the debate could sink no lower,
the politicians committed to staying the course in Iraq
turned the fire hoses of smear and intimidation on this icon
of national security. Listen to what they said:
They said he had given aid and comfort to the enemy. They
accused him of abandoning the troops. And one rookie
representative, the most junior member in the House, so lost
any decency or sense of decorum that she called Murtha a
coward.
I think they smeared the wrong representative. Murtha's
history is one of heroism and leadership. He served in the
Marine Corps from 1952 to 1955. He served as a Marine Corps
drill instructor and a reservist. He re-upped so he could
serve in Vietnam. He was wounded twice while serving as a
Marine intelligence officer, and then went back into the
reserves from 1967 to 1990. He was the first Vietnam veteran
elected to the Congress, where he has served with honor and
distinction as a bipartisan advocate of national defense ever
since.
How bipartisan? When President Reagan wanted to build the
MX missile, Murtha broke with his party to fight for what
Reagan called the ``peacekeeper.'' Reagan sent him to El
Salvador and the Philippines as an election observer and, as
an official representative of the United States, to Pakistan
to attend President Zia's funeral. When President George H.W.
Bush said of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, ``this will not
stand,'' Murtha stood with him and voted to use military
force to drive Iraq out.
His credentials on national defense are unimpeachable. He
has been named Minuteman of the Year by the Reserve Officers
Association of the United States. He has been honored by the
Blinded American Veterans Foundation. He is a winner of the
Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Service Award, and an honoree
of the Association of the United States Army. When Murtha
received the distinguished public service award from the
American Legion, he was praised by the national commander as
a veteran, supporter of a strong national defense and holder
of an outstanding track record on veterans' issues.
That is Jack Murtha's history, and the summer soldiers and
the sunshine patriots who attack him cannot rewrite it.
That's why they resort instead to the most reprehensible type
of personal attacks. We've seen this before. I know and love
another Vietnam veteran who served our country with
distinction and honor--who suffered the slings and arrows of
distortions, half-truths and falsehoods.
Scoundrels who would stifle debate and smear dissenters
weaken our democracy and diminish our Nation's ability to
make decisions and change course when circumstances demand.
This war is hard--hard to win, hard to support, and for
most, hard to figure out. We all want the best for our
troops, our country, the Iraqi people and what is best for
the Middle East. Much is at stake.
But if we want the best outcome, the best minds we have
must be free to express their strongest beliefs and best
advice. Murtha has earned our respect. His right to speak out
is an intrinsic component of our democracy. It should be
honored--we should hold that right sacred--even if his words
deviate from the party line, the president's talking points,
or public opinion.
I think Murtha did our country an enormous public service
for speaking out as he did, and I support for him for
exercising his right. A courageous person is always to be
admired.
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