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Monday, February 8, 2010

Local Elected Officials Remember Murtha

Tributes are rolling in for U.S. Rep. John Murtha, who died today at the age of 77. Here are some press releases we've received so far:

From U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak:

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the Murtha family at this very difficult time. His service to our nation in Congress reflected an unyielding commitment to his constituents, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and our nation. However, he holds my greatest respect for the courage he showed in serving as a United States Marine and subsequently becoming the first Vietnam combat veteran elected to Congress. In doing so, he gave a voice to millions of men and women who fought in an unpopular war and were not afforded the respect and care they earned and deserved.

It was a privilege to work with him on a number of issues, and I am especially appreciative of the help he gave me as a mentor, whether it was on an approach within the halls of Congress, specific legislative items, or coming to my District to assist at key events. We should all be grateful for his commitment to public service for his District, Pennsylvania and this nation.”

From U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah:

“Chairman Murtha will be remembered as a man who was not just Congressman from Johnstown, he was the Congressman for Philadelphia, the Congressman for Pittsburgh, for Allentown, for every corner of our Commonwealth. He really carried the weight of Pennsylvania on his shoulders. In Congress, he always sat in the same chair and he always had the same disposition: Pennsylvania first.

“Congressman Murtha, I believe, will be best remembered as the first serious hawk to stand up and call for our withdrawal from Iraq. As a former Marine – he would say ‘always a Marine’ – Jack Murtha’s courageous stand marked a turning point in America’s involvement in that ill-advised war.

“On a personal level, he was my friend, and when I was new to Congress he took me under his wing. His advice and wisdom was invaluable as I was developing the GEAR UP college-readiness program for students in high-poverty public schools. He helped me as a young member in the Congressional minority to steer GEAR UP program to enactment.

“I extend condolences to the family of Chairman Murtha and to all who cherish his memory. I will miss him enormously. All Pennsylvanians owe him our gratitude, and we will remember him in our prayers.”
Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 4:41 PM  Permalink | 5 comments
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:06 AM, 02/09/2010
    John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria Airport - that multimillion dollar worthless "defense spending" boondoggle in his district - is about to be donated to the people of Cambria County for development as an industrial park. The gravy train has gone over the cliff, and Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District just went with it. ### This should provide a forecast for West Virginia voters of what's going to happen when THEIR ticket to big federal bucks - Robert C. Byrd (born 20 November 1917) - kicks the bucket sometime soon. ### It's people like Jack Murtha who have made the word "corruption" utterly meaningless. It's sad that he had to die before the nation could be rid of him, but only because he should've been perp-walked out of the House of Representatives with Abscam. -30-
    — Tucci78
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:09 AM, 02/09/2010
    @janann - Nah, I wake up every morning with no desire more profound than that first cup of coffee. It's just that when I sit down and find news as salubrious as this - that a surgeon medical officer on the staff of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, pinked the congresscritter's large bowel during a cholecystectomy and this resulted in a peritonitis which later carried Jack Murtha to his eternal reward - I feel moved to express my profound pleasure. Surely, Jack was wanted in the Great Beyond. I only wish he'd been wanted more avidly, and sooner. ### You, too, janann. You, too. -30-
    — Tucci78
  • Comment removed.


5 comments
About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
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Catherine Lucey
luceyc@phillynews.com

Chris Brennan
brennac@phillynews.com

Jan Ransom
Ransomj@phillynews.com
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