[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 18 (Friday, February 5, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E169-E170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MARKING A MILESTONE, REPRESENTATIVE JOHN MURTHA BECOMES LONGEST SERVING 
        MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 5, 2010

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, on behalf of Representative Jason 
Altmire, Representative Robert A. Brady, Representative Christopher P. 
Carney, Representative Kathleen A. Dahlkemper, Representative Charles 
W. Dent, Representative Michael F. Doyle, Representative Chaka Fattah, 
Representative Tim Holden, Representative Tim Murphy, Representative 
Todd Russell Platts, Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz, Representative 
Joe Sestak, Representative Bill Shuster, Representative Glenn Thompson, 
and myself, we rise today to acknowledge and celebrate a milestone in 
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  Thirty-six years ago today, our colleague, Representative John 
``Jack'' P. Murtha (PA-12), was elected to the United States House of 
Representatives to fill the seat vacated by the death of former 
Representative John P. Saylor.
  Tomorrow, he surpasses the career of our former colleague, 
Representative Joseph M. McDade (PA-10), and officially becomes the 
longest serving Member of Congress ever from the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania.
  Jack has dedicated his life to serving our country both in the 
military and in the halls of Congress. A former Marine, he became the 
first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to the United States Congress.
  When he arrived here in 1974, he quickly attracted the attention of 
then Majority Leader, and future Speaker, ``Tip'' O'Neill, who became 
Jack's mentor. Tip taught him that ``all politics is local,'' which has 
enabled him to become an effective advocate for his own Congressional 
district and for initiatives throughout our State.
  Jack's contributions to Pennsylvania are endless. When Pennsylvania's 
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was slated to be eliminated 
by Federal regulations, Jack convinced the Clinton administration to be 
more flexible and ultimately saved the program. When our steel industry 
was in crisis, he convinced the Reagan administration to impose higher 
tariffs on foreign steel, giving domestic producers an edge. When the 
Philadelphia Shipyard was threatened with closure, he secured funding 
to keep ship production going. When the U.S. Army was forming Stryker 
Brigades, Jack helped convince Army leaders to field one within the 
Pennsylvania National Guard, creating the first and only brigade of its 
kind in the reserve component. When the National Park Service wanted to 
construct a new museum and visitor center at Gettysburg, he secured 
funding to make the project possible. When a decades-long mine fire 
threatened the residents of Centralia, PA, Jack worked to secure 
funding to buy the town and relocate the residents. When the healthcare 
benefits of retired miners were in trouble, he twice secured funding to 
help save their benefits from termination. When Flight 93 crashed in 
Stonycreek Township, PA, Jack was there the next day to survey the 
scene and later introduced legislation, which was enacted, establishing 
a national memorial to honor the passengers and crew. When he found out 
that diabetes was becoming an epidemic in the military and throughout 
Pennsylvania, Jack secured over $150 million for research, prevention, 
education and outreach programs.
  As the Dean of our Congressional Delegation, Jack exemplifies the 
hard work and dedication seen throughout our Commonwealth. He has 
always been there when Pennsylvania needed him. Jack is emblematic of 
the hardworking Pennsylvanians that he has represented for 36 years, as 
well as those that each of us represent. He has led our delegation with 
passion and perseverance. We look forward to continue working with him, 
and congratulate him on this milestone.

[[Page E170]]



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