[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H800-H801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING REPRESENTATIVE JOHN P. MURTHA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I echo the sentiments of my 
colleagues here today and want to add my voice in tribute to Jack 
Murtha--our colleague, my chairman, and my friend.
  For nearly his entire adult life, Jack Murtha selflessly served his 
beloved Nation--first in uniform as a decorated combat marine and later 
as an elected representative from my neighboring State of Pennsylvania.
  We all know by now that he was the first Vietnam War combat veteran 
elected to Congress. And while many of us followed him to Congress, he 
rose to become chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's 
Subcommittee on Defense. I've had the honor of serving with him on the 
subcommittee for over 10 years.
  In our dealings over the years, Jack and I did not always agree on 
policy decisions. But I always respected his undeniable dedication and 
his refreshing candor.
  And there is no doubt that he cared most deeply about the men and 
women of America's military and their families. He understood their 
challenges and their anxieties. And what he did not understand, he 
actively sought to learn in trips to Defense Department facilities, 
forward operating bases, and military medical centers across the world.
  He served our men and women in uniform diligently and daily in 
countless

[[Page H801]]

ways. He worked each week to improve their quality of life.
  Mr. Speaker, Jack Murtha loved Congress. He loved Pennsylvania, he 
loved his constituents, he loved the military, and he loved all of 
these things with a passion that exceeded the most ardent enthusiast.
  But fundamentally, Jack Martha was a Marine--with all of the 
distinguishing attributes and characteristics that brings. As a former 
member of the United States Army, I recall the statement of one Army 
general, ``There are only two kinds of people who understand Marines: 
Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a secondhand opinion.''
  My secondhand opinion is that I am honored to have served with Jack 
Murtha. I will never forget his enduring friendship. May the tributes 
and prayers of so many of our colleagues this afternoon here today be a 
source of strength to his wife, Joyce, and to his family.
  Semper Fi, Jack Murtha.

                          ____________________