[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 4071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF AN AMERICAN HERO, MR. JAMES W. MURDY 
                       OF ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

  (Mr. DENT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 90th 
birthday of an American hero, my constituent, Mr. James W. Murdy.
  James Murdy wanted to serve his country in the United States military 
and learn a trade. He joined the Navy in 1940 and soon thereafter 
served as an electrician aboard the USS Helena, a St. Louis-class light 
cruiser stationed at Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, shortly after 
James began serving on the Helena, the ship was hit by a torpedo 
dropped by a lone Japanese torpedo plane. Thankfully, James Murdy 
survived the attack that killed 20 of his fellow sailors.
  James Murdy then attended the Naval Mine Warfare School and worked as 
a minesweeper for the next 3 years. He was honorably discharged from 
the Navy in 1946 after achieving the rank of chief electrician's mate, 
the highest rank he could obtain as an enlisted man.
  Shortly after being discharged from the Navy, James wed Mary Robb, 
with whom he had three children; James Murdy, Rosemary Murdy-Haber, and 
Patricia Murdy-Cressman. He still lives in Allentown, Pennsylvania and 
loves rebuilding or constructing items from scratch and being called 
upon to speak about his experiences at Pearl Harbor. He is an ardent 
fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles and loves spending time 
with his family, including his granddaughter and step-granddaughter.
  Mr. Murdy served our country with valor and distinction, and we 
should honor his service, his dedication, and his allegiance to our 
great Nation. It is my honor to join with his many friends and family 
in celebrating the 90th birthday of this wonderful man.

                          ____________________