[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 1818]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN TRIBUTE TO JOHN P. MURTHA OF PENNSYLVANIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
condolences to the family of Jack Murtha and to pay tribute to him. As 
a relatively new Member of this body, I knew Jack Murtha only briefly, 
but I am so grateful even for that.
  One day very early in my tenure here in Congress, I needed some 
guidance on a military issue, and everyone told me I needed to speak 
directly with Mr. Murtha. I have to admit I was just a little bit 
intimidated. It wasn't just his size and the boom of his voice and his 
upright carriage, but I knew he knew stuff and that he could guide me. 
But to my great surprise, Mr. Murtha was so wonderful to me. His advice 
was sage, his generosity was unlimited, his inquiry was precise, and 
his kindness and gentleness were truly genuine. And from that moment 
forward, I am honored to have been guided by his good counsel.
  I can still see on occasion when I sit in the Speaker's chair a 
twinkle from his eye, and when it got a little rough, a little bit of a 
nod from that back corner.
  On a personal note, Jack Murtha remembered that I grew up in a 
military family, and he asked me about my father's and my brother's 
service and my experiences growing up. And I talked to him about being 
a candy striper and reading to our service men and women at veterans' 
hospitals.
  And I know that he cared deeply about our servicemembers and about 
their families and about the special obligation that we owe to them. He 
understood more than so many the call to service and the importance for 
political leaders to carry that at the forefront of all of our 
decisions on questions of war and peace. And his passion was so 
evident. And I know that my family and all of our servicemembers and 
their family members are so much better off because of Jack Murtha's 
service in this body, his service to our Nation, his commitment to them 
and to their service.
  And so I am really grateful, Jack, to have even had just a moment in 
time with you, and I only hope that in my service here in the United 
States Congress, I can carry myself forward with the kind of honor and 
duty and courage with which you served.

                          ____________________