On the recordFebruary 22, 2010
I first got to know Jack as a freshman legislator in the Pennsylvania House of 1973-1974, where he and I served together until he was elected to Congress in 1974. We were both Vietnam veterans--the only two in the State house, so we had something in common with that that we chatted about. Jack served his community in western Pennsylvania as both the State and Federal Representative for nearly four decades, and he will be missed by his hometown of Johnstown and residents of the 12th Congressional District. He served his country as a Marine drill instructor. As an officer, he remained in the Reserves after leaving full-time service in 1955. He volunteered to return to full-time service in 1967, and he served honorably in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star with Valor and two Purple Hearts. Even after being elected to the House in Congress, Representative Murtha continued his service in the Reserves, finally retiring as a colonel in 1990. Just a few weeks ago, he became the longest-serving Pennsylvania Member of the House of Representatives. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 55 years and his children and grandchildren that he leaves behind. I join with my colleagues in the Pennsylvania delegation to extend our condolences to his family and friends. Tonight, we honor his service.
