John Murtha
John Murtha
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Full Name and Common Aliases
John Patrick Murtha was an American politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district from 1973 to 2010.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: June 17, 1932
Died: February 8, 2010
Nationality and Profession(s)
Murtha was an American politician and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Early Life and Background
John Murtha was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17, serving two tours in combat during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he earned a degree from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and later completed law school at American University's Washington College of Law.
Major Accomplishments
Murtha's tenure in Congress was marked by several notable accomplishments:
Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense: Murtha held this position from 2001 to 2010, playing a key role in shaping defense spending policies.
Advocate for veterans' rights: Throughout his career, Murtha worked tirelessly to support U.S. military personnel and their families, securing funding for various veterans' programs and services.
Criticism of the Iraq War: In 2006, Murtha became one of the first high-ranking Democrats to publicly oppose the war in Iraq, citing concerns about its effectiveness and cost.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions associated with John Murtha include:
Authoring the "Murtha Rule": This rule aimed to improve accountability within government by requiring federal officials to disclose conflicts of interest.
Promoting energy independence: As a member of Congress, Murtha advocated for increased investment in renewable energy sources and domestic oil production.Impact and Legacy
John Murtha's impact on American politics is multifaceted:
Pioneering advocate for veterans' rights: His dedication to supporting U.S. military personnel and their families has left a lasting legacy in the field of veterans' affairs.
Influence on defense policy: As chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Murtha's work shaped the direction of U.S. defense spending and policy.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
John Murtha is widely quoted or remembered for his:
Strong advocacy for veterans' rights: His unwavering commitment to supporting U.S. military personnel and their families has made him a respected voice in the field of veterans' affairs.
* Influence on defense policy: As chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Murtha's work continues to shape the direction of U.S. defense spending and policy.
His dedication to public service, combined with his leadership and advocacy skills, have cemented John Murtha's place in American history as a champion for veterans' rights and a key figure in shaping U.S. defense policy.
Quotes by John Murtha
The guys in Congress are scared to death to say anything because they might be vilified, ... The soldiers can't speak for themselves. We sent them to war and, by God, we're the ones that have to speak out.
You can't spin this. You've got to have a real solution, ... This is not a war of words, this is a war.
The military has done everything that was asked of them. It is time to bring the troops home.
Absolutely, we're the target. We're the enemy, ... (The Iraqis) are a proud people, they've been around a lot longer than we have. They've going to win this themselves, they're going to settle this themselves. They have to, there's no alternative.
All of us want to support the president when he's at war, ... But you can't support him when he won't change directions, won't listen.
They're subdued compared to normal morale of elite forces. Obviously, it was a very difficult battle. A lot of Somalis were killed, but it was a brutal battle.
That's not the point. We want to protect our guys. This is all about our guys, and our moral standards and our moral standards in the world.