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Murtha was born into an Irish-American family in New Martinsville, West Virginia, near the border with Ohio and Pennsylvania, and grew up in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, a largely suburban county east of Pittsburgh.
As a youth, he became an Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America) Eagle Scout. He also worked delivering newspapers and at a gas station before graduating from The Kiski School, an all-male boarding school in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania.
Murtha left Washington and Jefferson College in 1952 to join the United States Marine Corps Marine Corps and was awarded the American Spirit Honor Medal for displaying outstanding leadership qualities during training. He became a drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island Parris Island and was selected for Officer Candidate School (U.S. Marine Corps) Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia. He was then assigned to the Second Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Murtha remained in the Marine Forces Reserve and ran a small business, Johnstown Minute Car Wash (which still operates in the West End section of Johnstown). He also attended the University of Pittsburgh on the G.I. Bill, and received a degree in economics. Murtha later took graduate courses from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He married his wife Joyce on June 10, 1955. They had three children: daughter Donna and twin sons Patrick and John M., who live in Johnstown.
Murtha left the Marines in 1955. He remained in the Reserves after his discharge from active duty until he volunteered for service in the Vietnam War, serving from 1966 to 1967, serving as a battalion staff officer (S-2 Military Intelligence Intelligence Section), receiving the Bronze Star Medal Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He retired from the Marine Corps Reserve as a Colonel (United States) Colonel in 1990, receiving the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.
In December 2009, Murtha was admitted to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland after suffering from abdominal pains.cite news title=Murtha hospitalized with gallbladder problem date=December 14, 2009 work=CNN url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/14/murtha-hospitalized-with-gallbladder-problem/?fbid=2EFzCiewMxQ He had surgery to remove his gallbladder in late January 2010; a week later, he was admitted to the intensive care unit due to complications from the surgery.cite news title=Murtha Hospitalized in I.C.U. work=The New York Times date=February 2, 2010 first=Berne last=Becker url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/murtha-hospitalized-in-icu/ He died on February 8, 2010.cite news url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view.bg?articleid=1231504 title=Rep. John Murtha, Iraq war critic, dies at 77 last=Associated Press date=February 8, 2010 publisher=Boston Herald accessdate=February 8, 2010
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POV date=February 2010
Murtha was elected to represent the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 72 72nd legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a special election on May 20, 1969. The election was triggered by the death of incumbent Representative Edward McNally (Pennsylvania politician) Edward McNally.cite web last = Cox first = Harold title = Pennsylvania House of Representatives – 1969–1970 publisher = Wilkes University work = Wilkes University Election Statistics Project date = November 3, 2004 url = http://staffweb.wilkes.edu/harold.cox/legis/153H.pdf
Murtha faced tough primary challenges in 1982, 1990 and again in 2002. The 1982 challenge occurred when the Republican-controlled state legislature took advantage of Murtha's connection to Abscam, and incorporated most of the district of fellow Democrat and Vietnam War veteran Donald A. Bailey Don Bailey of Westmoreland County into the 12th District.
File:John Murtha.jpg right thumb Murtha dedicates the National Drug Intelligence Center in Johnstown in 1993.
The 2002 challenge occurred when the state legislature redrew the district of fellow Democrat Frank Mascara to make it more Republican-friendly, shifting a large chunk of Mascara's former territory into Murtha's district. Mascara opted to run against Murtha in the Democratic primary, since the new 12th contained more of Mascara's old territory than Murtha's. However, Mascara was badly defeated.
Image:John Murtha official photo.jpg thumb left 200px An earlier official photo of Congressman Murtha
In 2006, Murtha's Republican challenger was Diana Irey, a county commissioner from Washington County, Pennsylvania Washington County, the heart of Mascara's former district. Irey attacked Murtha for his criticism of the Iraq war. Even though Irey was Murtha's strongest Republican opponent in decades, she polled well behind Murtha throughout the campaign. An October 12, 2006 poll by the ''Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'' showed Murtha with a commanding lead over Irey, 57%–30%.<ref name="Octoberpoll">cite news url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_474587.html publisher=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review title=Poll: Murtha has big lead date=October 12, 2006 accessdate=2006-10-05 In the November election, Murtha won 61%–39%.Josh Krysak, [http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17441645&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6 "Murtha captures 61 percent of vote"]dead link date=February 2010, ''Herald Standard'', November 9, 2006.
On June 9, 2006, Murtha informed House Minority Leader Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi that he would run for House Majority Leader Majority Leader if the Democrats gained control of the House in the United States House elections, 2006 2006 midterm elections. Despite Murtha receiving Pelosi's support, current Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer was elected to the post.<ref name=Murtharun />
On March 18, 2008, Murtha endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton, former First Lady of the United States First Lady and then United State Senate Senator from New York, in Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2008 her bid for the presidency.The Tribune-Democrat. [http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_078184832.html?keyword=topstory Murtha backing Hillary Clinton] March 18, 2008
On February 6, 2010, two days before his death, Murtha became the longest serving Pennsylvania congressman in history.The Tribune-Democrat. [http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_040004542.html?keyword=topstory Murtha dead at 77: Longest-serving Pa. congressman] February 9, 2010 Although he was not sworn into office until February 20, 1974, House of Representatives rules state that Murtha’s service officially began at his election because the seat was vacant.
Abscam investigation
Main Abscam
File:Murtha Casey.jpg thumb John Murtha with List of Governors of Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey.
In 1980, during his fourth term as a Congressman, Murtha became embroiled in the Abscam investigation, which targeted dozens of congressmen. The investigation entailed FBI operatives posing as intermediaries for Saudi nationals hoping to bribe their way through the immigration process into the United States. Murtha met with these operatives and was videotaped. He did agree to testify against Frank Thompson (D-NJ) and John Michael Murphy John Murphy (D-NY), the two Congressmen mentioned as participants in the deal at the same meeting and who were later videotaped placing the cash bribes in their trousers. The FBI videotaped Murtha responding to an offer of $50,000, with Murtha saying, "I'm not interested... at this point. [If] we do business for a while, maybe I'll be interested, maybe I won't," right after Murtha had offered to provide names of businesses and banks in his district where money could be invested legally.[http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=10426 The American Spectator Bot generated title ]Dead link date=February 2010 The U.S. Attorney's Office reasoned that Murtha's intent was to obtain investment in his district. Full length viewing of the tape shows Murtha citing prospective investment opportunities that could return "500 or 1000" miners to work.
Earmarks and campaign contributions
Murtha was targeted by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington as one of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress.<ref name=CREW20>cite report
url=http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/files/CREWS_Most_Corrupt_2008.pdf
title=CREW's most corrupt members of Congress
publisher=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
accessdate=2008-11-04
cite web
url=http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/
title=CREW's most corrupt members of Congress
publisher=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
accessdate=2008-11-04
<ref CREW_Murtha>cite web
url=http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/summaries/murtha.php
title=Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA)
publisher=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
accessdate=2008-11-04
cite web
url=http://thehill.com/homenews/house/58753-burris-ensign-added-to-watchdogs-most-corrupt-lawmaker-list
title=Burris, Ensign added to watchdog's most corrupt lawmaker list
publisher=''The Hill (newspaper) The Hill''
accessdate=2009-09-18
In September 2006 the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) listed Murtha under Five Members to Watch in its Second Annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress Report. The report cited Murtha's steering of defense appropriations to clients of KSA Consulting, which employed his brother Robert, and the PMA Group, founded by Paul Magliocchetti, a former senior staffer on the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense.cite web url=http://www.beyonddelay.org/summaries/murtha.php title=Rep. John Murtha accessdate=2006-10-28 work=20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress publisher=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics
In 2008, ''Esquire Magazine'' named him one of the 10 worst members of Congress because of his opposition to ethics reform and the $100 million a year he brought to his district in earmark (politics) earmarks."[http://www.esquire.com/features/esquire-endorsements-2008/10-worst-members-congress-1108 The 10 Worst Members of Congress]." (October 15, 2008) ''Esquire''. Retrieved February 11, 2010. The Wall Street Journal has called him "one of Congress's most unapologetic earmarkers."http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052970204409904574350801854137702.htmlDead link date=February 2010 According to the ''Pennsylvania Report'', Murtha was one of "Pennsylvania’s most powerful congressmen" and a "master of crossing the aisle and bringing pork into his district."<ref name=pareport2003>cite web title =The PA Report “Power 75” List work = Pennsylvania Report publisher = Capital Growth, Inc. date = January 31, 2003 url = http://www.pa-report.com/uploaded_pdf/PAReportPower75_.pdf archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060920200116/www.pa-report.com/uploaded_pdf/PAReportPower75_.pdf archivedate=2006-09-02 format=PDF
In February 2009, ''CQ Politics'' reported that Murtha was one of 104 U.S. representatives to earmark funds in the 2008 United States Department of Defense Defense appropriations spending bill for a lobbyist lobbying group that had contributed to his past election campaigns. The spending bill, which was managed by Murtha in his capacity as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, secured $38.1 million for clients of the PMA Group in the single fiscal law.[http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003055541&cpage=1 Firm with Murtha Ties Got Earmarks From Nearly One-Fourth of House] The PMA Group was under investigation by the FBI.Yost, Pete, (Associated Press), "[http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/24/murtha-fundraiser-missed-donor-pal/ Murtha Fundraiser Missed Donor Pal]", ''Washington Times'', March 24, 2009, p. 6.
In March 2009, the ''Washington Post'' reported that a Pennsylvania defense research center regularly consulted with two "handlers" close to Murtha while it received nearly $250 million in federal funding via Murtha's earmarks. The center then channeled a significant portion of the funding to companies that were among Murtha's campaign supporters.cite news title=Federal Funding Funneled to Rep. Murtha's Supporters author=Carol D. Leonnig work=Washington Post date=March 16, 2009 url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/16/AR2009031601393.html?hpid=topnews
Views on the 2003 Iraq War
Murtha voted for the October 10, 2002 resolutioncite web url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2002-455 title=H. J. Res 114 Vote on Passage accessdate=2006-10-28 date=2002-10-11 publisher=GovTrack.us archiveurl=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll455.xml archivedate=2002-10-12 that authorized the use of force against 2003 Invasion of Iraq Iraq. However, he later began expressing doubts about the war. On March 17, 2004, when Republicans offered a “War in Iraq Anniversary Resolution” that “affirms that the United States and the world have been made safer with the removal of Saddam Hussein and his regime from power in Iraq,”cite web url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr108-557 title=H. Res. 557 Text of Legislation accessdate=2006-10-28 date=2004-03-11 publisher=GovTrack.us archiveurl=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr108-557 archivedate=2004-03-11 when JD Hayworth called for a recorded vote, Murtha voted against it.cite web url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2004-64 title=H. Res. 557 Vote on Passage accessdate=2006-10-28 date=2004-03-17 publisher=GovTrack.us archiveurl=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2004/roll064.xml archivedate=2004-03-17
Still, in early 2005 Murtha argued against the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. “A premature withdrawal of our troops based on a political timetable could rapidly devolve into a civil war which would leave America’s foreign policy in disarray as countries question not only America’s judgment but also its perseverance,” he stated.<ref name=CBSexit>cite news authorlink=Mike Wallace title=Murtha Details His Exit Strategy url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/13/60minutes/main1208423_page3.shtml work=60 Minutes publisher=CBS News date=2006-01-06 accessdate=2006-10-28
2005 Resolution on removing American forces from Iraq
On November 17, 2005, Murtha submitted H.J. Res. 73 in the United States House of Representatives House of Representatives, calling for the redeployment of U.S. troops in Iraq, saying, "The U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It is time to bring them home.”cite news first=Edward last=Epstein title=Murtha calls for immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/11/17/MNGV2FPT755.DTL work=SFGate.com publisher=San Francisco Chronicle date=2005-11-17 accessdate=2006-10-28
The bill cited lack of progress towards stabilizing Iraq, the possibility that a draft would be required to sustain sufficient troop numbers, Iraqi disapproval of US forces and approval of attacks on the soldiers, and the increasing costs of the war. The bill proposed that deployment to Iraq be suspended and that US Marines establish an "over-the-horizon" presence in nearby countries.[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hj109-73 H.J. Res. 73]
Murtha's comments forced a heated debate on the floor of the House on November 18.cite news authorlink=Associated Press title=Lawmakers reject calls for troop pullout Conflict in Iraq url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10097801/ work=MSNBC.com publisher=Associated Press date=2005-11-19 accessdate=2006-10-28 Republicans led by Duncan Hunter of California, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services House Armed Services Committee, responded by proposing their own resolution (H. Res. 571), which many Republicans said was intended to demonstrate that those calling for immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq were “out of the mainstream.”
Jean Schmidt and the “coward” controversy
During debate on adopting the rule for the resolution, Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) made a statement attributed to Danny Bubp, an Ohio House of Representatives Ohio state Representative and Marine Corps Reservist, “He also asked me to give Congressman Murtha a message: that cowards cut and run, Marines never do.”cite web url=http://thinkprogress.org/2005/11/18/schmidt-shame/ title=VIDEO: Schmidt's shame accessdate=2006-10-28 date=2005-11-18 work=ThinkProgress.org publisher=Center for American Progress Action Fund
Seeing Schmidt's remarks as an unwarranted "cheap shot" against Murtha, outraged Democrats brought House business to a halt for ten minutes until Schmidt herself asked and received permission to withdraw her comments. Bubp has since stated that he never mentioned Murtha when making the quoted comment. He added that he would never question the courage of a fellow Marine. Bubp later said, “I don't want to be interjected into this. I wish (Congresswoman Schmidt) never used my name.”cite web url=http://mediamatters.org/items/200511220016 title=Limbaugh, Carlson falsely claimed Marine referenced by Rep. Schmidt is serving in Iraq accessdate=2006-10-28 date=2005-11-22 work=MediaMatters.org publisher=Media Matters for America
Haditha, Iraq killings
Main Haditha killings
The Haditha killings Haditha incident occurred on November 19, 2005, and since then there have been differing accounts of exactly what took place.
In November 2005 Murtha announced that a military investigation into the Haditha killings had concluded that U.S. Marines had intentionally killed innocent civilians.cite news url=http://www.startribune.com/587/story/629869.html title='Everything I said has turned out to be true' publisher=McClatchy News Services date=2006-08-22 first=Margaret last=Talev accessdate = 2006-10-18dead link date=February 2010 Referring to the first report about Hadithacite news url=http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1174682,00.html title=One Morning in Haditha: U.S. Marines killed 15 Iraqi civilians in their homes last November. Was it self-defense, an accident or cold-blooded revenge? publisher=TIME date=2006-03-19 first=Tim last=McGirk accessdate=2006-10-18 in ''Time (magazine) Time'' magazine, Murtha said:cite news url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/05/18/murtha.marines/index.html title= Lawmaker says Marines killed Iraqis 'in cold blood' last=McIntyre first=Jamie date=May 18, 2006 publisher=CNN accessdate=March 1, 2010
<blockquote>"It's much worse than reported in Time magazine. There was no fire fight. There was no IED that killed these innocent people. Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood. And that's what the report is going to tell."</blockquote>
The Marine Corps responded to Murtha's announcement by stating that "there is an ongoing investigation; therefore, any comment at this time would be inappropriate and could undermine the investigatory and possible legal process."cite news url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12838343 title=Lawmaker: Marines killed Iraqis ‘in cold blood’ publisher=NBC News date=2006-05-17 first=Mike last=Viqueira accessdate = 2006-10-18 Murtha was criticized by conservatives for presenting a version of events as simple fact before an official investigation had been concluded.cite web url=http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTFmYmY2N2E5MmEwZTdkMWI0NjVmYWI2NmU5N2VhOTQ= title=Profile in Disgrace accessdate=2006-10-28 last=Editors date=2006-05-23 work=National Review Online publisher=National Review
In August 2006, Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich filed a lawsuit against Murtha for character defamation during an ongoing investigation into the Haditha incident. In April 2009 this suit was dismissed by a federal appeals court, which ruled that Murtha could not be sued because he was acting in his official role as a lawmaker when he made the statements.Pickler, Nedra. "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/14/frank-wuterich-cant-sue-m_n_186706.html Frank Wuterich Murtha Defamation Suit Dies In Court]". (April 14, 2009) ''The Huffington Post''. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
On December 21, 2006, the US military charged Wuterich with 12 counts of unpremeditated murder against individuals and one count of the murder of six people "while engaged in an act inherently dangerous to others."<ref name="alnet">[http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21200494.htm "U.S. Marines charged with murder in Haditha"]. Reuters AlterNet. Retrieved December 22, 2006. Charges were subsequently dropped against seven of the eight Marines involved: Capt. Lucas McConnell,cite news first=Adam last=Tanner title=U.S. officer charges dismissed in Haditha killings url=http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1845602020070918 work=Reuters publisher=Reuters date=2008-09-18 accessdate=2009-08-26 Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani,cite news first=Nat last=Helms title=Charges Against Haditha Marine Chessani Dropped ... Again url=http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/chessani_charges_dropped/2009/03/18/193196.html work=NewsMax publisher=NewsMax Company date=2009-03-18 accessdate=2009-08-26dead link date=February 2010 Sgt. Sanick Dela Cruz,cite news first=Mark last=Walker title=Charges dropped against Haditha Marine url=http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/article_bf1745e6-a5c0-5ab8-981c-c76b6acf4ea6.html work=North County Times publisher=North County Times Company date=2007-04-18 accessdate=2009-08-26 Lance Corporal Stephen Tatum,cite news title=Charges dropped against Marine in Haditha case url=http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080328181017.afmb9h69&show_article=1 work=Breitbart date=2009-03-28 accessdate=2009-08-26 Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, Capt. Randy Stone, and 1st Lt. Andrew Grayson. Only Sergeant Frank Wuterich is still facing trial on 9 counts of involuntary manslaughter.cite news first=Mark last=Walker title=MILITARY: Chessani prosecution may be over url=http://nctimes.com/news/local/military/article_b3d1215f-9d90-5148-aa9c-cbe7425b9dc1.html work=North County Times publisher=North County Times Company date=2009-05-05 accessdate=2009-08-26
''Sun-Sentinel'' story and correction
In a June 24, 2006, speech at Florida International University,cite web url=http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=6a7482dd8c4dac09c9dde09ca7427620.614115 title=Rep. John Murtha D-PA accessdate=2006-10-28 date=2006-06-24 format=streaming video work=Yahoo! Video publisher=Yahoo! archiveurl=http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=6a7482dd8c4dac09c9dde09ca7427620.614115 archivedate=2006-07-19 Murtha said that the military presence in Iraq was hurting U.S. credibility, citing a poll by the Pew Research Center indicating that people in several countries considered the U.S. in Iraq to be a greater threat to world peace than either Iran or North Korea.cite web url=http://pewglobal.org/reports/display.php?ReportID=252 title=America's Image Slips, But Allies Share U.S. Concerns Over Iran, Hamas accessdate=2006-10-28 date=2006-06-13 work=Pew Global Attitudes Project publisher=Pew Research Center archiveurl=http://pewglobal.org/reports/pdf/252.pdf archivedate=2006-06-13 When the ''South Florida Sun-Sentinel'' reported the speech on June 25, it asserted without further evidence that it was Murtha's ''own'' view that the U.S. was a greater threat to world peace: “American presence in Iraq is more dangerous to world peace than nuclear threats from North Korea or Iran, U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., said to a crowd of more than 200 in North Miami Saturday afternoon.”cite news authorlink=South Florida Sun-Sentinel title= Murtha says U.S. poses top threat to world peace url=http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/135159 archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061020142548/http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/135159 archivedate=2006-10-20 work=AZStarnet.com publisher=Arizona Daily Star date=2006-06-25 accessdate=2006-10-28
The ''Sun-Sentinel'' story was picked up by the wire services and the Drudge Report website,cite web url=http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2006/06/25/20060625_183801.htm title=Murtha says USA poses top threat to world peace; more dangerous than North Korea, Iran... accessdate=2006-10-28 last= first= authorlink= coauthors= date=2006-06-25 publisher=DrudgeReportArchives.com archiveurl=http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2006/06/25/20060625_183801.htm archivedate=2006-06-25 leading several conservative pundits, including Bill O'Reilly (commentator) Bill O’Reilly, Tucker Carlson, and Newt Gingrich, to comment.cite web url=http://thinkprogress.org/2006/06/27/murtha-quote/ title=Murtha Attacked by the Right for Quote Falsely Attributed to Him accessdate=2006-10-28 date=2006-06-27 work=ThinkProgress publisher=Center for American Progress Action Fund archiveurl=http://thinkprogress.org/2006/06/27/murtha-quote/trackback/ archivedate=2006-06-27 After the ''Sun-Sentinel'' issued a correction, O'Reilly publicly apologized.cite web url=http://mediamatters.org/items/200606290008 title=O'Reilly apologizes for Murtha misquote accessdate=2006-10-28 date=2006-06-30 work=MediaMatters.org publisher=Media Matters for America
2008 Presidential Election
After having endorsed Hillary Clinton, commenting on the prospects for the election of Barack Obama during the United States presidential election, 2008 2008 Presidential campaign, Murtha became the subject of controversy after deriding many of his own Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district constituents as "racists" who would not vote for Obama because he is African American black. In response to the outrage at his comments he apologized, but then reiterated the point by saying, "[T]here's still folks that have a problem voting for someone because they are black. This whole area, years ago, was really redneck."cite news title=John Murtha Calls Western Pa. 'Redneck' work=WTAE date=October 20, 2009 url=http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/politics/17764334/detail.html
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Murtha generally opposed gun control, earning an A from the National Rifle Association.<ref name=NRA>cite web url=http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=H3460103&type=category&category=Gun%20Issues title=Representative Murtha — Interest Group Ratings accessdate=2006-10-28 publisher=Project Vote Smart
In 2004, he was one of only two congressmen to vote for a measure proposing reinstatement of Conscription in the United States the draft.cite news first=Alexander last=Bolton title=Dems to revive draft demand url=http://www.hillnews.com/news/100703/draft.aspx archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061121171917/http://www.hillnews.com/news/100703/draft.aspx archivedate=2006-11-21 work=The Hill.com publisher=Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. date=2003-10-07 accessdate=2006-10-28
Murtha voted for the Affordable Healthcare for America Act (HR 3692), which passed in the House 220-215 on November 7, 2009. <ref Healthcare_Law>cite web
url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=28171&can_id=27048
title=Health Care and Insurance Law Amendments
publisher=Project Vote Smart
accessdate=2009-11-29
He said of the bill, "For nearly a century, both Democrats and Republicans have failed to enact comprehensive health care reform. Today's historic vote moves us closer to solving America's health care crisis." <ref Murtha_Statement>cite web
url=http://www.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=507008&keyword=&phrase=&contain=
title=Murtha Statement On House Passage Of The Affordable Health Care For America Act
publisher=Project Vote Smart
accessdate=2009-11-29
However, Murtha did not support allowing abortions as part of health care reform. He voted for the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to the health care bill that prohibits elective abortions for people covered by the public healthcare plan and to prohibit people receiving federal assistance from purchasing a private healthcare plan that includes abortions, except when the woman’s life is in danger. <ref Prohibit_Fed_Funded>cite web
url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=28173&can_id=27048
title=Prohibiting Federally Funded Abortion Services
publisher=Project Vote Smart
accessdate=2009-11-29
He also voted for a bill to prohibit pregnant minors from crossing state borders to obtain abortions. <ref Child_Interstate>cite web
url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=7972&can_id=27048
title=Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act
publisher=Project Vote Smart
accessdate=2009-11-29
In August 2009, Murtha refused Republican Party (United States) Republican challenger Tim Burns' invitation to attend a town hall meeting focused on healthcare (at the time, Murtha had not yet hosted a town hall meeting);<ref name="Murtha Pressured">cite web
url=http://thehill.com/homenews/house/56075-rep-murtha-pressured-to-attend-town-hall
title=Rep. Murtha pressured to attend town hall
author=Susan Crabtree
publisher=The Hill
accessdate=2009-11-29
however, Murtha had held several conference call sessions with his constituents focused on healthcare.<ref name="Murtha Pressured"/>
Murtha, a pro-life Democrat, did not receive favorable ratings from abortion and reproductive health interest groups. <ref Congressman_talks>cite web
url=http://www.murtha.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=606&Itemid=77
title=Congressman talks politics with students
author=Randy Griffith
publisher=The Online Office of Congressman John Murtha
accessdate=2009-11-29
Planned Parenthood, whose stated purpose is “to provide comprehensive reproductive and complementary health care,” gave him a rating of 50% in 2009.<ref name="Murtha Interest Group Ratings">cite web
url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=27048
title=Representative John P. 'Jack' Murtha (PA) Interest Group Ratings
publisher=Project Vote Smart
accessdate=2009-11-29
<ref Planned_Parenthood>cite web
url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?r_id=4376
title=Planned Parenthood
publisher=Project Vote Smart
accessdate=2009-11-29
He received a rating of 50% from the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, which advocates “access to voluntary, comprehensive and culturally sensitive family planning and reproductive health care services and ... reproductive freedom for all.” <ref name="Murtha Interest Group Ratings"/><ref Nat_Family_Planning>cite web
url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?r_id=4470
title=National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association
publisher=Project Vote Smart
accessdate=2009-11-29
In 2009, Murtha heard details from Fort Benning U.S. Army Soldiers on how their current uniforms and equipment were not providing camouflage in Iraq and Afghanistan during a personal visit. Murtha immediately took action and convinced the Army to fix the camouflage problem resulting in Multi-Cam being selected by the Secretary of the Army John McHugh for all in-coming Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan in 2010.
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File:Murtha burial Johnstown.jpg thumb A joint service honor guard bearing the casket of John P. Murtha; Johnstown Pennsylvania, February 16, 2010
Murtha was first hospitalized with gallbladder problems for a few days in December 2009, and had surgery on January 28, 2010, at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Longtime friend and fellow Pennsylvania Democratic Representative Bob Brady said Murtha's large intestine was damaged during the normally routine laparoscopic surgery, causing an infection.Landau, Elizabeth. "[http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/09/murtha.gallbladder.surgery/ Murtha's gallbladder procedure rarely deadly]. (February 10, 2010) ''CNN''. Retrieved February 11, 2010.Cite news last = Roddy first =Dennis coauthors = Daniel Malloy authorlink=Dennis Roddy title = Rep. John Murtha dies at 77 newspaper =Pittsburgh Post Gazette date = February 8, 2010 url = http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10039/1034401-100.stmHefling, Kimberly. "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/08/AR2010020804287.html Congressman: Murtha's intestine damaged in surgery]. (February 8, 2010) ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved February 11, 2010. Due to the complication (medicine) complication, Murtha was again hospitalized two days later, and died on the afternoon of February 8, 2010, in the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia, with his family by his side.Cite news last = Keck first =Kristi coauthors = Elizabeth Cohen, Sabriya Rice, Rebecca Sinderbrand title = Rep. John Murtha dies after surgery complications newspaper = CNN date = February 9, 2010 url = http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/08/john.murtha.obit/index.htmlAssociated Press. "Lawmaker's sudden death a reminder of surgery risks." (February 11, 2010) ''Tri-City Herald''. page D2.Neergaard, Lauran. "[http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MED_MURTHA_SURGERY?SITE=COBOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Lawmaker's death a reminder of surgery risks]". (February 9, 2010) ''Associated Press''. Retrieved February 11, 2010. He was buried on February 16, 2010, at Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.Malloy, Daniel. "[http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10040/1034648-100.stm Visitation, burial arrangements for John Murtha announced]". (February 9, 2010) ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette''. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, said in a statement on the day of his death, "with the passing of John Murtha, America has lost a great patriot." House Republican Leader John Boehner said, "our nation has lost a decorated veteran.""[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/32698.html Pelosi's statement on Murtha's death]". (February 8, 2010) ''Politico''. Retrieved February 11, 2010.Schouten, Fredreka. "[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/02/rep-john-murtha-is-dead/1 Rep. John Murtha is dead]." (February 8, 2010) ''USA TODAY''. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
A Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district special election, 2010 special election will be held to fill the seat left vacant by the late congressman, taking place on May 18 to coincide with that state's primaries for Senate and Governor.<ref name="specialelection">cite news url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/81783-murtha-special-added-to-may-18-primary title=Murtha special election added to May 18th primary schedule last=Blake first=Aaron date=February 17, 2010 publisher=The Hill accessdate=March 8, 2010
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sisterlinks
CongLinks congbio=m001120 fec=H6PA12030 opensecrets=N00001408 votesmart=27048 ontheissuespath=PA/John_Murtha.htm legistorm = surge = govtrack = findagrave =
■[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Murtha Profile] at SourceWatch Congresspedia
■[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2117574/ John Murtha] on the Internet Movie Database
'''Books by Murtha'''
■cite book last=Murtha first=John title=From Vietnam to 9/11: On the Front Lines of National Security with a New Epilogue on the Iraq War year=2004 publisher=Pennsylvania State University Press location=University Park, PA isbn=0-271-02396-1
'''Articles'''
■Murray, Shailagh (November 25, 2005). [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/24/AR2005112400759.html "The About-Face of a Hawkish Democrat"]. ''Washington Post'', pg. A02.
■cite web authorlink=Jim Miklaszewski last=Miklaszewski first=Jim last2=Viqueira first2=Mike date=May 17, 2006
url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12838343 title=Lawmaker: Marines killed Iraqis ‘in cold blood’ publisher=NBC News
■Murtha, John [http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa12_murtha/pr051117iraq.html John Murtha's Iraq Exit Strategy]dead link date=February 2010 November 17, 2005.
■[http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2004_cr/h031704.html H. Res. 557, the "War in Iraq Anniversary resolution"]
■[http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/05/06/murtha.iraq/ 'Unwinnable' comment draws GOP fire (CNN)]
■[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10097801/ Murtha calls for change in U.S. Iraq policy (Associated Press)]
■[http://asp.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/CandidateProfile.aspx?ci=462&oi=H USA Today profile]
■[http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Rep._Murtha_says_Rumsfeld_Cheney_should_0319.html Rep. Murtha says Rumsfeld, Cheney should resign]
■[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/13/AR2006101301425_pf.html Washington Post: Confessions of a "Defeatocrat"]
■[http://www.democracynow.org/2010/2/9/rep_john_murtha_1932_2010 Rep. John Murtha, Iraq War Critic, Dies at 77] - video by ''Democracy Now!''
■[http://www.myjohnstownpa.com/featured/john-murtha-passes-away/ John Murtha Passes Away (MyJohnstownPA)]
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s-par us-hs
USRepSuccessionBox
state= Pennsylvania
district= 12
before= John P. Saylor John Saylor
after= TBD
years=1974–2010
s-par us-pa-hs
succession box before=Edward McNally (Pennsylvania politician) Edward McNally title= Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 72 72nd District years=1969–1973 after=James O. Whelan, Jr. James Whelan
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DEFAULTSORT:Murtha, John
Category:Abscam
Category:American military personnel of the Vietnam War
Category:American Roman Catholic politicians
Category:Deaths from surgical complications
Category:Eagle Scouts
Category:Irish-American politicians
Category:Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
Category:Pennsylvania Democrats
Category:People from Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Category:Politicians from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Category:Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
Category:Recipients of the Purple Heart medal
Category:United States Marine Corps officers
Category:University of Pittsburgh alumni
Category:University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown alumni
Category:Washington & Jefferson College alumni
Category:1932 births
Category:2010 deaths
da:John Murtha
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sh:John Murtha
fi:John Murtha
sv:John Murtha
zh:約翰·穆爾沙
en
Urban Maglev president hopes Pa. senators back California project 2010/03/11The Maglev demonstration project proposed for California Borough lost a major supporter with the death of U.S. Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Johnstown, but Urban Maglev president David O'Loughlin is hoping to get equally strong support from the state's senatorial delegation.
Ellsworth, Hill taking wait-and-see health care approach 2010/03/13WASHINGTON — Two Hoosier lawmakers expected to play key roles in determining the fate of health care reform legislation pending in Congress remain cagey over whether they intend to support a package endorsed by President Barack Obama when it comes up for a vote expected later this month.
UPDATE:US House Bans Earmarks For Profit-Earning Entities 2010/03/10UPDATE:US House Bans Earmarks For Profit-Earning Entities
2nd UPDATE:House Lawmakers Ban Earmarks For Profit-Earning Cos 2010/03/112nd UPDATE:House Lawmakers Ban Earmarks For Profit-Earning Cos
Hafer backs off Critz challenge 2010/03/10Former Pennsylvania Treasurer Barbara Hafer announced Wednesday she's pulling out of the May 18 Democratic primary for the late Rep. John Murtha's vacant House seat. Hafer previously lost the Democratic nomination for a special election to fill the seat, but insisted she would challenge the victor, Mark Critz, for the regularly scheduled general election nod.
Hafer withdraws from race for Murtha seat 2010/03/10A day after filing nomination petitions in a quest to succeed the late Rep. John Murtha , former state Treasurer Barbara Hafer announced this morning that she is withdrawing from the primary race.
Government & Public Sector 2010/03/09United States: Policy Update 2010: What's Next For Health Care Reform After The White House Summit?
Listen to Congressman Eric Massa's radio interview 2010/03/09During his interview on Power 105.3 FM, Massa blames his resignation on a conspiracy by Democratic leaders...
Rangel is alone in punishment but not wrongdoing 2010/03/04It must have been a strange feeling for Charlie Rangel as he walked into Statuary Hall on Wednesday for fellow congressman Jack Murtha's memorial service. Murtha, who died three weeks ago, was being eulogized, but Rangel was the one getting buried.
