Timothy H. Bishop: “it is with honor and with a profound sadness that I rise to recognize Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy of the United States…”

“it is with honor and with a profound sadness that I rise to recognize Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy of the United States Navy, who last week was posthumously awarded our Nation's highest award for valor: the Medal of Honor. Among my greatest privileges was attending last week's ceremonial presentations of the Medal of Honor to his family at the White House and the Navy Memorial. Known fondly as ``Murph,'' Michael was born on May 7, 1976, in Smithtown, New York, and grew up in Patchogue, in my district on eastern Long Island. He was raised by a family of policemen, lifeguards, firemen, and teachers who instilled values reflecting that public service is a noble calling. In high school, Lieutenant Murphy life-guarded at the Brookhaven town beach in Lake Ronkonkoma, a job he returned to each summer through his college years. He graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 1994. Lieutenant Murphy attended Penn State University, where he was an exceptional all-around athlete and student. He excelled at ice hockey, graduated with honors, and was accepted to several law schools, but instead wanted to serve his country as part of the world's most elite fighting force: the U.S. Navy SEALs.”