John Murtha
| John Murtha | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 12th district |
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In office February 5, 1974 – February 8, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | John Saylor |
| Succeeded by | Mark Critz |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 72nd district |
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In office May 20, 1969 – November 30, 1973 |
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| Preceded by | Edward McNally |
| Succeeded by | James Whelan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Patrick Murtha, Jr. June 17, 1932 New Martinsville, West Virginia |
| Died | February 8, 2010 (aged 77) Arlington, Virginia |
| Resting place | Johnstown, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Joyce Murtha |
| Residence | Johnstown, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater |
Washington and Jefferson College University of Pittsburgh |
| Occupation | Small business owner |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Awards |
Bronze Star Purple Heart (2) Combat Action Ribbon Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry American Spirit Honor Medal Navy Distinguished Public Service Award |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
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| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
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| Years of service | 1952–1990 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
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| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| a. ^ McNally was elected to represent the 72nd district in November 1968. However, he died shortly after his election, and thus was unable to be sworn-in as representative for the district on January 7, 1969. | |
John Patrick "Jack" Murtha, Jr. (/ˈmɜːrθə/; June 17, 1932 – February 8, 2010) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Murtha, a Democrat, represented Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1974 until his death in 2010. He is the longest-serving member ever of the United States House of Representatives from the state of Pennsylvania.
A former Marine Corps officer, Murtha was the first Vietnam War veteran elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. A member of the Pennsylvania House from 1969 to 1974, he narrowly won a special election to Congress in 1974 and was successively reelected every two years until his death. In the first decade of the 21st century, Murtha had been best known for his calls for a withdrawal of American forces in Iraq, as well as questions about his ethics.
In 2006, after the Democrats won control of Congress in the 2006 midterm elections he made a failed bid to be elected House Majority Leader during the 110th Congress (2007–2009) with the support of the new House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. He lost to Steny Hoyer of Maryland. After the Republicans' defeat to the Democratic Majority in 2006 Murtha re-assumed his chairmanship of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. He had previously chaired this subcommittee from 1989 to 1995 and served as its ranking member from 1995 to 2007.
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