[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1733]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SEANTE RESOLUTION 301--HONORING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF CONGRESSMAN 
                            MURTHA'S SERVICE

  Mr. SPECTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 301

       Whereas John ``Jack'' Murtha, during 5 decades of service 
     to our Nation, has been an exemplar of dedication, drive, 
     sacrifice, and patriotism;
       Whereas John Murtha left Washington and Jefferson College 
     after only 1 year of study to join the Marine Corps during 
     the Korean War out of a sense of obligation to his country;
       Whereas John Murtha ran a small business in Johnstown, 
     Pennsylvania while starting a family with his wife, Joyce, 
     and attending the University of Pittsburgh on the GI Bill;
       Whereas he volunteered in Vietnam in 1966-67, already in 
     his mid-30s;
       Whereas in 1974, he became the first combat Vietnam veteran 
     elected to Congress, representing the 12th Congressional 
     District of Pennsylvania;
       Whereas he continuously works to attract and keep jobs in 
     and around his District and to develop essential sewer, 
     water, and transportation infrastructure;
       Whereas in his position as a senior member of the House 
     Appropriations Committee, he is a national leader on defense, 
     health care, and social issues and uses his position to 
     benefit Pennsylvania, the region, and the people;
       Whereas he founded the House Steel Caucus and regularly 
     defends our steel industry from unfair imports; and
       Whereas he has been 1 of the strongest advocates for 
     children, seniors, and veterans: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. CONGRATULATION AND COMMENDATION.

       The Senate--
       (1) honors the lifelong commitment of John Murtha to the 
     ideals of our Nation;
       (2) recognizes John Murtha's exceptional dedication to his 
     constituents, to the State of Pennsylvania, and to the United 
     States; and
       (3) congratulates John Murtha on 30 years of superior 
     service in the United States Congress.

     SEC. 2. TRANSMISSION OF ENROLLED RESOLUTION.

       The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit an enrolled copy 
     of this resolution to Congressman John Murtha.

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I rise to honor one of our most dedicated 
and patriotic colleagues--and a fellow Pennsylvanian--Congressman John 
Murtha, on the 30th anniversary of his service in the United States 
House of Representatives.
  Jack Murtha, during five decades of service to our Nation, has been 
an exemplar of dedication, drive, sacrifice and patriotism. He left 
Washington and Jefferson College after only one year of study to join 
the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Returning home, he ran a small 
business in Johnstown while starting a family with his wife, Joyce, and 
attending the University of Pittsburgh on the GI Bill. But his country 
called again and Jack Murtha volunteered in Vietnam in 1966-67, already 
in his mid-30s.
  In 1974, he became the first combat Vietnam veteran elected to 
Congress, representing the 12th Congressional District of Pennsylvania.
  Jack Murtha has worked tirelessly to attract and keep jobs in and 
around his District and to develop essential sewer, water and 
transportation infrastructure. As a senior member of the House 
Appropriations Committee, he has established himself as a national 
leader on defense, health-care and social issues. He founded the House 
Steel Caucus and regularly defends our steel industry from unfair 
imports, and has been one of the strongest advocates in Congress for 
children, seniors and veterans.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring Jack Murtha for his 
lifelong commitment to the ideals of our Nation; for his exceptional 
dedication to his constituents, to the State of Pennsylvania and to our 
country; and for 30 years of superior service in the United States 
Congress.

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