[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 26 (Friday, February 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN TRIBUTE TO REPRESENTATIVE JOHN P. MURTHA OF PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2010

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
our former colleague, Congressman John Murtha. He died on February 8, 
2010, at age 77, following complications of surgery. John represented 
Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District for 36 years in Congress, 
longer than any Pennsylvania lawmaker.
  John Patrick Murtha was born June 17, 1932 in New Martinsville, West 
Virginia, and moved to Pennsylvania as a child. He graduated from the 
University of Pittsburgh in 1962 with a degree in economics and did 
graduate work in economics and political science at Indiana University 
of Pennsylvania.
  Congressman Murtha dedicated his life to serving the nation he loved, 
first in the military. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952, during 
the Korean War period, and served until 1955, joining the Reserves. 
Then, during the Vietnam conflict, he volunteered for combat and served 
as an intelligence officer in 1966 and 1967. John received the Bronze 
Star and two Purple Hearts for this service, retiring from the Marine 
Corps Reserve as a colonel in 1990.
  One of the first Vietnam veterans to sit in the House and a career 
reservist, John effectively applied this valuable insight to his work 
in Congress. As the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee 
on Defense, he worked tirelessly for the benefit of the nation's troops 
and their families. For his political courage in speaking out against 
the Iraq war, and his dedication to principled public service, John was 
awarded the 2006 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
  Congressman Murtha has earned a well-deserved place in history as a 
patriot, war hero and statesman. The nation will miss his dedication 
and vast experience in lawmaking, and we will miss him as a dear friend 
and generous mentor.
  I express my condolences to John's wife Joyce and their three 
children, and I urge everyone to honor and remember our colleague, John 
Murtha.

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