[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 3, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E292]
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. CAROLYN MCCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2010

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that 
I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend and loyal public servant, 
the Honorable John Murtha. He was a strong voice for the constituents 
in the 12th District of Pennsylvania and honorably served as the 
Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
  I, like so many of my colleagues, am blessed to have known Mr. Murtha 
on a professional and personal level. It is no surprise that Mr. Murtha 
will be remembered as such an effective legislator. Given his proud 
service in the Marine Corps and passionate devotion for the greater 
good of our nation, Mr. Murtha consistently served as a moral compass 
for the U.S. Congress.
  About a year and a half after the Iraq War started, many wounded 
soldiers were transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Mr. 
Murtha visited these soldiers and witnessed the horrific wounds they 
were suffering with, such as losing a limb or losing complete eyesight. 
Mr. Murtha invited the veterans staying at Walter Reed, their families 
and members of Congress to a restaurant meal where he wanted the 
members to hear the stories of these courageous veterans. He wanted the 
veterans to express how they became wounded and what they believed 
Congress could do to help make sure our American soldiers were safe. 
Through legislation and appropriations funding, the stories from our 
veterans helped Congress push the military to improve their equipment. 
Humvee's and protective vests were improved to keep our soldiers safe 
from roadside bombs and other forms of hostility.
  In all his years as an appropriator and legislator, he has always 
advocated for the safety of our military and has fought to improve the 
quality of life for American soldiers and their families. It was 
typical of Mr. Murtha to be modest about all of the care he showed the 
soldiers and veterans in times of war. After learning of the 
unacceptable conditions veterans were subjected to at Walter Reed Army 
Medical Center, Mr. Murtha immediately reached out to Members of 
Congress. He knew it was our country's responsibility to bring justice 
to our nation's wounded soldiers by ensuring that they received the 
proper medical care they deserved.
  I extend my deepest condolences to his family, loved ones and 
friends. Mr. Murtha will be remembered as a man of honor, generosity 
and strength. His unfaltering dedication and care is what made him such 
an extraordinary person. It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to 
a great man and friend. I will miss him dearly. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in expressing the gratitude of the U.S. Congress for his 
longtime service and leadership as a U.S. Representative.

                          ____________________