[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        SUPPORT FOR U.S. TROOPS

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, earlier today I heard a particularly 
egregious comment made on the Senate floor that I cannot in good 
conscience allow to pass unchallenged.
  If there is one individual whose support for our troops and their 
effort I never thought would be subject to attack, it is John Murtha.
  I served with Representative Murtha in the House. I know full well 
the honorable service he has rendered to his country. And I know how 
hard he labors every day to promote the interests of our nation and its 
citizens--in particular our men and women in uniform.
  John joined the Marine Corps during the Korean War, and he later 
volunteered to serve in Vietnam. His public service continued back home 
when he became the first combat Vietnam veteran elected to Congress. 
John has been awarded both the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the 
USO's Spirit of Hope Award.
  As most know, Representative Murtha was a strong advocate for the 
Iraq war. And not too long ago, my Republican colleagues were praising 
him for his position. But now that he has raised reasonable questions 
about how the war has been handled by the Administration, he is being 
accused of aiding our enemies.
  There should be no room in our debate for such personal attacks.
  John McCain. Max Cleland. And now John Murtha. All of these men 
honorably served our country, and all have had their character 
impugned.
  John Murtha is an honorable man with a long history of public 
service. No one should question his dedication to our troops and their 
families, and to the national interest.

                          ____________________