Rep. John Murtha Dead at 77

by: Clem Guttata

Mon Feb 08, 2010 at 15:02:38 PM EST

From a press release:

   WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman John P. Murtha (PA-12) passed away peacefully this afternoon at 1:18 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. At his bedside was his family.

   Murtha, 77, was Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

   First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in February of 1974, Murtha dedicated his life to serving his country both in the military and in the halls of Congress. A former Marine, he became the first Vietnam War combat Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress.

   This past Saturday, February 6, 2010, Murtha became Pennsylvania's longest serving Member of Congress.

   A complete biography is available on his website.

My condolences to his family.