[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN TRIBUTE TO REPRESENTATIVE JOHN P. MURTHA OF PENNSYLVANIA
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I will be brief. I have been tied up most
of the afternoon and never thought I would have an opportunity to come
down and join in this special order to our friend and our colleague,
Jack Murtha. I am very pleased and heartened by all of the outpouring
of Members who have come down here for the last few hours, and it has
also given me an opportunity to say a few things about my friend, Jack
Murtha.
Jack would be embarrassed about all of the attention being shown to
him tonight, but for those of us who knew and love and respected Jack
Murtha, it's been an especially hard week, especially those of us who
hang out, as we say, in the Pennsylvania Corner. When we always look on
the corner to see Jack there, we see a folded American flag. I guess
it's appropriate for Jack's service to his country, not only as a
soldier, but also as a Member of this House of Representatives.
If you want to know more about Jack Murtha, his courage, his love for
this country, I would urge you to read the book that he wrote, ``From
Vietnam to 9/11: On the Front Lines of National Security.'' He really
traced the history of this country, policy and military involvement of
this country since Vietnam to September 11. It is written by a true
patriot who lived it and urged all of us to also see the world and our
commitment and our dedication to the men and women in uniform through
the eyes of Jack Murtha in a book.
I said it's been a hard week, and I think everything that needs to be
said about Jack Murtha has probably been said. I am thankful for having
known him, and I am thankful for the opportunity of being able to come
down here tonight and just say a few words and to express our love and
condolences for Joyce and the entire Murtha family.
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