[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H811-H812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MAN OF THE HOUSE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, man of the House. The passing from this 
life of legendary Pennsylvania Congressman and Defense Appropriation 
Chairman and Marine Colonel John P. ``Jack'' Murtha truly represents a 
seismic shift in this Congress and in our Nation's history. His acumen, 
brass-tacks style, and man-of-his-word reputation are so rare.
  As the longest-serving woman in the current U.S. House, I came to 
know Jack Murtha well, serving with him for 28 years. In early 
February, he became the longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania 
delegation in U.S. history.
  No one had his grasp of our Nation's defense or his dexterity at 
ushering the complicated Defense Appropriation bill, the largest in 
Congress, with nearly unanimous bipartisan support.
  Jack put the soldier first. Each branch of the service, plus the 
Guard and Reserve, owe Jack great gratitude. He was indefatigable in 
their cause. Jack Murtha respected the awesome power of the U.S. 
military, but he also knew its limits.
  I have never served in this Congress when Jack Murtha wasn't here. 
Properly, a U.S. flag flown over this Capitol has been placed on his 
chair in the Pennsylvania corner where he anchored his work on the 
floor of this House that he loved. His knowledge, leadership, measure, 
and tutelage remain timeless gifts to those who shared his path.
  As the first Democratic woman to serve on the Defense Subcommittee of 
Appropriations, I can attest, it never would have happened but for his 
support and encouragement. For his faith in me, I shall always be in 
his debt as I try to emulate his acuity, his range, and his concern.
  We, his subcommittee colleagues, who had the privilege of serving 
most closely with this giant of a man shall miss him greatly.
  When my constituents ask me to describe him, here's what I try to say 
in his cadence: Man of the House. Marine. Chairman. Colonel. Dean. 
Authentic. Patriotic. Semper fi. Fearless. Keen. Optimistic. Jovial. 
With an unforgettable glint in his eyes. Alive. Devoted husband to 
Joyce, and proud and caring father and grandfather.
  To his family, we send our deepest sympathy and our abiding prayers 
and friendship.
  Son of Johnstown. Rough hewn. Battle tested. Two Purple Hearts. A 
Bronze Star. Not blow dried nor cosmetic. Fiercely loyal to his 
district and Pennsylvania. In command. Extraordinarily hard working. 
Kept Marine hours, rising early, arriving early. Always building 
others. Trusted. Never gave a word he would break. If he said, I'll 
talk to you about it later, the subject was closed before you knew it. 
Acute judge of character. Revered counselor to dozens and dozens and 
dozens of Members and friends. In few golden but choice words, he 
advised, critiqued, led.
  Don't mess with him. Absolutely loved politics. A ticket maker and 
analyzer. Lots of real friends. Some really cruel enemies. Always had a 
good word. An author. Well-traveled, too, often to war zones. Visited 
the wounded and bore that pain close to his heart.
  New ideas and insights captivated him. Razor sharp mind. Don't tangle 
with him unless you know your subject. Memory that could recall votes 
10 years ago, and who voted which way. Master of the rules. Wielded the 
gavel with authority and certitude. Attentive to the floor at all 
times, even when you thought he wasn't paying attention. Possessed all 
the attributes to be Speaker, except he came from the working class of 
people and didn't hail from a financial or government enclave.
  Madam Speaker, he instinctively knew how to build a majority. He had 
lived war, and his heart was always with the soldier.
  A giant tree has fallen in the forest. A lion is now at rest. How 
fortunate we are to cherish his friendship and service. America's 
defense is the best in the world because Chairman Jack Murtha lived to 
leave that legacy.
  The passing from this life of legendary Pennsylvania Congressman and 
Defense Appropriations Chairman and Marine Colonel John P. ``Jack'' 
Murtha truly represents a seismic shift in our Nation's history. His 
acumen, brass-tacks style and man-of-his-word reputation are so rare.
  As the longest-serving woman in the current U.S. House of 
Representatives, I came to know Jack Murtha well, serving with him 28 
years. In early February he became the longest-serving Congressman in 
Pennsylvania history. He took it upon himself to guide young Members of 
Congress, particularly if their districts mimicked the hardscrabble 
nature of his own.
  As representative of the Ninth Congressional District of Ohio, which 
extends along the Lake Erie shoreline from Toledo almost to

[[Page H812]]

Cleveland, I had invited Jack to our job-challenged region many times. 
In fact, he was scheduled to open the national rifle matches at Camp 
Perry this spring.
  Jack Murtha was legendary. He never forgot where he came from. He 
tirelessly served his district and his constituents. He grew to serve 
our Nation and his reach was global. No one had his grasp of our 
Nation's defense or his dexterity at ushering the complicated defense 
appropriations bill, the largest in Congress, with nearly unanimous 
bipartisan support.
  Jack put the soldier first. His unheralded visits to military 
hospitals to visit the sick and wounded were not designed as photo ops 
but as heartfelt expressions of appreciation for those who served on 
the front lines and sacrificed for us. Every soldier knew he 
understood.
  Each branch of the service, plus the Reserve and National Guard, owes 
Jack Murtha a debt of gratitude. He was indefatigable in their cause. 
In Toledo, our 180th F-16 Fighter Wing is genuinely the best in the 
world. Why? Because Jack Murtha helped to build its capability. I 
daresay he attended to all 435 congressional districts with the same 
diligence.
  Our Guard and Reserve units were modernized with improved pay and 
benefits because he knew their importance: he advised America cannot 
conduct successful operations without them. America's blood supply is 
more robust and deliverable because he fought for it. New weapons, 
materiel, and technologies are underway in every service branch because 
Jack knew that some generals tend to fight the last war, so he 
purposely worked in the future.
  Jack Murtha respected the awesome power of the U.S. military, but he 
also knew its limits.
  I have never served in Congress when Jack Murtha wasn't here. 
Properly, a U.S. flag has been placed on his chair in the 
``Pennsylvania Corner,'' where he anchored his work on the floor of the 
House of Representatives and will remain unoccupied by those who held 
him in esteem. His knowledge, leadership, measure, and tutelage remain 
timeless gifts to those who shared his path.
  As the first Democratic woman to serve on the defense subcommittee of 
Appropriations, I can attest it would never have happened but for his 
support and encouragement. For his faith in me, I shall always be in 
his debt as I try to emulate his acuity, range and concern.
  We, his subcommittee colleagues, who had the privilege of serving 
most closely with this giant of a man, shall miss him greatly.
  When my constituents ask me to describe him, here is what I say in 
his cadence: Jack. Authentic. Patriotic. Man of the House. Marine. 
Chairman. Colonel. Dean. Semper fi. Fearless. Keen. Optimistic. Jovial. 
With an unforgettable glint in his eyes. Alive. Devoted husband to 
Joyce and proud and caring father and grandfather. Son of Johnstown. 
Rough hewn. Battle Tested. 2 Purple Hearts. A Bronze Star. Not blow 
dried nor cosmetic. Fiercely loyal to his district and Pennsylvania. In 
command. Extraordinarily hard working. Kept Marine hours, rising early, 
arriving early. Always building others. Trusted. Never gave a word he 
would break. If he said, I'll talk to you about it later, the subject 
was closed before you knew it. Acute judge of character. Revered 
counselor to dozens and dozens of Members and friends. In few golden 
but choice words, he advised, critiqued, led. Defended his 
subcommittee's prerogatives.

  Don't mess with him. Absolutely loved politics. A ticket maker and 
analyzer. Lots of real friends. Some really cruel enemies. Always had a 
good word. Liked bright colors on others. Extraordinarily gifted. Well 
read. An author. Well traveled too, often to war zones. Visited the 
wounded and bore that pain close to his heart.
  Quite curious. New ideas and insights captivated him. Capable of 
independent views. Razor sharp mind. Don't tangle with him unless you 
know your subject. Memory that could recall votes from 10 years ago, 
and who voted which way. Master of the Rules. Wielded the gavel with 
authority and certitude. Attentive to the Floor at all times even when 
you thought he wasn't paying attention. A coach. Possessed all the 
attributes to be Speaker, except he came from the working class of 
people and didn't hail from a financial or government enclave.
  Not a trust fund baby nor into the cocktail circuit. Self made. Fair. 
Precise. Garrulous. Politically savvy. Strong, Unflinching. Always 
humorous, throwing his head back with a sincere laugh, and ``is that 
so?'' A brusque manner that didn't suffer fools gladly. Regularly 
reached across the aisle. Consistently passed his bills with nearly 
unanimous support. He instinctively knew how to build a majority.
  Lived war. Heart always with the soldier. Loyal disciple of Speaker 
Tip O'Neill and the common man. Soul buddies with twinkles in their 
eyes. Cussing occasionally. But a good word always. A giant tree has 
fallen in the forest. A lion is now at rest. How fortunate are we who 
cherish his friendship and service. We loved him and will deeply miss 
him. America's defense is the best in the world because Chairman Jack 
Murtha lived to leave that legacy.

                          ____________________