Political Quotes

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise to honor the memory of my mentor and my dear friend, Congressman Jack Murtha. This is a tough day for all of us in the Pennsylvania delegation. Our State has lost its 800-pound gorilla and our dear, dear friend. Jack Murtha personified the people of western Pennsylvania, tough, hardworking, salt of the Earth. He loved his family. They always came first, his beautiful wife, Joyce, to whom he was married for over 50 years, his three children, his grandchildren. Family always came first to Jack Murtha. He loved his country, and he most especially loved the men and women who wore the uniform of the United States of America. He was their champion. There wasn't any Member in this body who fought harder for those troops than Jack Murtha did. He loved this institution too. I remember he especially was helpful to new Members. When I got elected in 1994, Jack took me under his wing and one day he sat me right back there in the Pennsylvania Corner, right next to his chair, and he said, I am going to give you two pieces of advice. He says, number one, sit here on the floor and learn the rules and the procedure, because if you master the rules and the procedure of the House, someday you're going to get a chance to offer a bill, and the people that understand the rules will always win. He said, secondly, find out what you are passionate about and be the best person you can be in that field.…”