John Murtha

2021-12-25T04:53:33Z

223.24.152.167:

{{Short description|American politician from Pennsylvania}}
{{other people|John Murtha|John Murtha (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = John Murtha
| image = John Murtha portrait 2008.jpg
| state = [[Pennsylvania]]
| district = {{ushr|PA|12|12th}}
| term_start = February 5, 1974
| term_end = February 8, 2010
| predecessor = [[John P. Saylor|John Saylor]]
| successor = [[Mark Critz]]
| state_house1 = Pennsylvania
| district1 = [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 72|72nd]]
| term_start1 = May 20, 1969
| term_end1 = November 30, 1973<ref>Per [[s:Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania#Election of Members; Vacancies|Article II, Section 2]] of the [[Pennsylvania Constitution]], the legislative session ended on November 30, 1973.</ref>
| predecessor1 = [[Edward McNally]] {{small|(Elect)}}{{Ref label|aaa|a}}
| successor1 = [[James Whelan (Pennsylvania politician)|James Whelan]]
| birth_name = John Patrick Murtha Jr.
| birth_date = {{birth date|1932|6|17}}
| birth_place = [[New Martinsville, West Virginia]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2010|2|8|1932|6|17}}
| death_place = [[Arlington, Virginia]], U.S.
| restingplace = [[Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown|Grandview Cemetery]]
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse = Joyce Murtha
| children = 2
| education = [[The Kiski School]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Pittsburgh]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| awards = {{Unbulleted list|[[American Spirit Honor Medal]]|[[Navy Distinguished Public Service Award]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newjerseyhills.com/morris_news_bee/news/navy-s-highest-civilian-honor-goes-to-frelinghuysen/article_53e5d22a-d9e3-11e2-950d-001a4bcf887a.html |title=Navy's highest civilian honor goes to Frelinghuysen |last=Garber |first=Phil |date=June 21, 2013 |website=Morris NewsBee News |publisher=New Jersey Hills Media Group |access-date=July 20, 2013}}</ref>}} 
| signature = John Murtha signature.svg
| allegiance = [[United States of America]]
| branch = {{flag|United States Marine Corps}}
| serviceyears = 1952–1990
| rank = [[File:US-O6 insignia.svg|20px]] [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]
| battles = [[Vietnam War]]
| mawards = {{Unbulleted list|[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]|[[Bronze Star Medal]]|[[Purple Heart]] (2)|[[Combat Action Ribbon]]|[[Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry]]}}
| footnotes = a. {{note|aaa}}McNally was elected in November 1968. However, he died shortly after being elected, and thus was never sworn in.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=The Associated Press |title=Legislature to Convene for Battles |work=[[The Gettysburg Times]] |date=January 7, 1969 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TFAmAAAAIBAJ&pg=977,5081972&dq=edward+mcnally&hl=en}}</ref>
}}
'''John Patrick Murtha Jr.''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɜr|θ|ə}}; June 17, 1932 – February 8, 2010) was an [[Politics of the United States|American politician]] from the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)|Commonwealth]] of [[Pennsylvania]]. Murtha, a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], represented [[Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district]] in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1974 until his death in 2010.<ref>Obituary ''[[New York Times]]'', February 9, 2010.</ref><ref>Obituary ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', February 9, 2010.</ref><ref>Obituary ''[[Washington Post]]'', February 9, 2010.</ref><ref>Obituary ''[[The Independent|London Independent]]'', February 10, 2010.</ref> He is the longest-serving member ever of the United States House of Representatives from the [[Commonwealth (U.S. state)#Pennsylvania|Commonwealth 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 of Representatives|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.<ref>Jackson, Peter. "[http://nwitimes.com/news/national/article_fdca48df-0f62-532a-a95c-fd6ffbd33bc3.html Iraq war critic Murtha, 77, wasn't shy about seeking earmarks]". (February 9, 2010) ''nwi.com''. Retrieved February 11, 2010.</ref>

In 2006, after the Democrats won control of Congress in the [[2006 United States House of Representatives elections|2006 midterm elections]] he made a failed bid to be elected [[Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives|House Majority Leader]] during the [[110th United States Congress|110th Congress (2007–2009)]] with the support of the new [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|House Speaker]], [[Nancy Pelosi]].<ref name=Murtharun>{{Cite news |title=Murtha to Run for House Majority Leader if Dems Prevail in November |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198941,00.html |work=FOXNews |date=June 9, 2006 |access-date=October 28, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018122423/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198941,00.html |archive-date=October 18, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Pelosi.Murtha>{{Cite news |title=Pelosi supports Murtha for majority leader|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/12/pelosi.murtha/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=November 12, 2006 |access-date=November 13, 2006}}</ref> He lost to [[Steny Hoyer]] of Maryland.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&symbol=&storyID=2006-11-16T165944Z_01_N16319060_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-CONGRESS-LEADERS-HOYER.xml&WTmodLoc=InvArt-C2-NextArticle-1 |title=Democrats defy Pelosi, elect Hoyer House leader |work=Reuters |date=November 16, 2006 |access-date=November 16, 2006}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> After House Republicans lost their majority in 2006 Murtha re-assumed his chairmanship of the [[United States House Committee on Appropriations|House Appropriations']] [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense|Defense Subcommittee]]. He had previously chaired this subcommittee from 1989 to 1995 and served as its [[ranking member]] from 1995 to 2007.

==Background==
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]]. He was the son of Mary Edna (née Ray) and John Patrick Murtha.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/40419591/|title=Simpson's Leader-Times from Kittanning, Pennsylvania|publisher=Simpson's Leader-Times|date=May 21, 1975|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

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]]. As an undergraduate, Murtha was initiated into the [[Kappa Sigma Fraternity]].

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]].

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 Heart]]s, 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]].

==Political career==
Soon after returning from Vietnam, Murtha won the Democratic nomination for what was then the 22nd District, which was based in Johnstown. He lost fairly handily to longtime [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] incumbent [[John P. Saylor|John Saylor]].

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 Representative [[Edward McNally (Pennsylvania)|Edward McNally]], who died in November 1968.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was elected to a full term in 1970.

Congressman Saylor died in October 1973, nine months into his 13th term. Murtha immediately jumped into the special election contest in what was now the 12th District. In the February 1974 special election, which took place during the burgeoning [[Watergate scandal]], Murtha defeated one of Saylor's former aides, Harry Fox, by only 242 votes. He defeated Fox for a full term by a significantly wider margin in the general election that November and was re-elected 17 times.

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 Vietnam War veteran and Democrat [[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 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 was geographically more his district than Murtha's. However, Mascara was badly defeated.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/12/08/the-great-election-grab|title=The Great Election Grab|author=Jeffrey Toobin|author-link=Jeffrey Toobin|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|date=December 12, 2003}}</ref>

[[File:John Murtha official photo.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Murtha during the [[109th United States Congress|109th Congress]]]]
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. A poll by the ''[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]'' on October 12, 2006, 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|newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|title=Poll: Murtha has big lead|date=October 12, 2006|access-date=October 5, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021075642/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_474587.html|archive-date=October 21, 2006}}</ref> In the November election, Murtha won 61%–39%.<ref>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"], ''Herald Standard'', November 9, 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204914/http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17441645&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6 |date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>

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 [[2006 United States House of Representatives elections|2006 midterm elections]]. Despite Murtha receiving Pelosi's support, [[Steny Hoyer]] was elected to the post.<ref name=Murtharun />

On March 18, 2008, Murtha endorsed [[Hillary Clinton]], former [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] and then [[United States Senate|senator]] from [[New York (state)|New York]], in [[Hillary Clinton 2008 presidential campaign|her bid for the presidency]].<ref>The Tribune-Democrat. [http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090725154726/http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_078184832.html?keyword=topstory Murtha backing Hillary Clinton] March 18, 2008.</ref>

On February 6, 2010, two days before his death, Murtha became the longest-serving Pennsylvania congressman in history.<ref>The Tribune-Democrat. [http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_040004542.html?keyword=topstory Murtha dead at 77: Longest-serving Pa. congressman] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120913044950/http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_040004542.html?keyword=topstory |date=September 13, 2012}} February 9, 2010.</ref> Although he was not sworn into office until February 20, 1974, House of Representatives rules state that Murtha's service began at his election because the seat was vacant.

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 [[MultiCam]] being selected by the Secretary of the Army [[John M. McHugh|John McHugh]] for all incoming soldiers deploying to Afghanistan in 2010, only weeks after Murtha had died.<ref name="armytimes multicam">{{Cite news|url=http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/02/army_camo_decision_021710w/|title=MultiCam recommended for Afghanistan|last=Cox|first=Matthew|date=February 19, 2010|publisher=ArmyTimes|access-date=April 3, 2010}}</ref>

===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.<ref>[http://spectator.org/archives/2006/09/29/murtha-and-the-fbi-the-directo The American Spectator] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526060727/http://spectator.org/archives/2006/09/29/murtha-and-the-fbi-the-directo |date=May 26, 2013}}</ref> 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]]
|access-date = November 4, 2008
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081217232811/http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/files/CREWS_Most_Corrupt_2008.pdf
|archive-date = December 17, 2008
}}
{{Cite web
|url = http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/
|title = CREW's most corrupt members of Congress
|publisher = [[Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington]]
|access-date = November 4, 2008
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081107123138/http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/
|archive-date = November 7, 2008
}}
</ref><ref>{{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]] |access-date=November 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121082943/http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/summaries/murtha.php |archive-date=November 21, 2008}}
</ref><ref>{{cite news
|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
|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]
|access-date=September 18, 2009}}
</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.beyonddelay.org/summaries/murtha.php |title=Rep. John Murtha |access-date=October 28, 2006 |work=20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress |publisher=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061026220258/http://www.beyonddelay.org/summaries/murtha.php  |archive-date = October 26, 2006}}</ref>

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]].<ref>"[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.</ref> The [[Wall Street Journal]] has called him "one of Congress's most unapologetic earmarkers."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB20001424052970204409904574350801854137702 |title=John Murtha's Airport for No One |access-date=April 2, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110084748/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052970204409904574350801854137702.html |archive-date=November 10, 2012}}</ref> 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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060920200116/http://www.pa-report.com/uploaded_pdf/PAReportPower75_.pdf|archive-date=September 20, 2006}}</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003055541&cpage=1 Firm with Murtha Ties Got Earmarks From Nearly One-Fourth of House] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203154333/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003055541&cpage=1 |date=February 3, 2010}}</ref> The PMA Group was under investigation by the FBI.<ref>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.</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Federal Funding Funneled to Rep. Murtha's Supporters |author=Carol D. Leonnig |work=Washington Post |date=March 16, 2009 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/16/AR2009031601393.html?hpid=topnews}}</ref>

===Views on the 2003 Iraq War===
Murtha voted for the October 2002 resolution<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2002-455 |title=H. J. Res 114 Vote on Passage |access-date=October 28, 2006 |date=October 11, 2002 |publisher=GovTrack.us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035033/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2002-455 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 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,"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr108-557 |title=H. Res. 557 Text of Legislation |access-date=October 28, 2006 |date=March 11, 2004 |publisher=GovTrack.us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930033659/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr108-557 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> when [[J. D. Hayworth]] called for a recorded vote, Murtha voted against it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2004-64 |title=H. Res. 557 Vote on Passage |access-date=October 28, 2006 |date=March 17, 2004 |publisher=GovTrack.us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035111/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2004-64 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

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 |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=January 6, 2006 |access-date=October 28, 2006}}</ref>

In 2006, after Murtha became a leading critic of the Iraq War, a conservative website, the [[Cybercast News Service]] (part of [[L. Brent Bozell III]]'s [[Media Research Center]]) published an article that "quoted Murtha opponents as questioning the circumstances surrounding the awarding of his two Purple Hearts."<ref name=wp>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/13/AR2006011301736.html |title=Web Site Attacks Critic of War |access-date=September 26, 2007 | work=The Washington Post | first1=Howard | last1=Kurtz | first2=Shailagh | last2=Murray | date=January 14, 2006}}</ref> The attack recalled the "[[swiftboating]]" tactic used against Senator [[John Kerry]] two years early.<ref name=wp /> A Murtha spokesman called the allegations "an attempt to distract attention from what's happening in Iraq."<ref name=wp />

===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."<ref>{{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=November 17, 2005 |access-date=October 28, 2006}}</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hj109-73 H.J. Res. 73]</ref>

Murtha's comments forced a heated debate on the floor of the House on November 18.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lawmakers reject calls for troop pullout Conflict in Iraq |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10097801 |work=NBC News |publisher=Associated Press|date=November 19, 2005 |access-date=October 28, 2006}}</ref> Republicans led by [[Duncan L. Hunter|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." Murtha himself took the floor during debate on the resolution after the Democrats yielded all their time to him, and denounced the Hunter resolution as a sham. As expected, Hunter's resolution was defeated, with only three congressmen voting aye.

===Jean Schmidt and the "coward" controversy===
On November 19, 2005, 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. The statement, "He also asked me to give Congressman Murtha a message: that cowards cut and run; Marines never do," was seen as an unwarranted "cheap shot" against Murtha, and 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."<ref>''Cincinnati Enquirer'':{{cite web|url=http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051122/NEWS01/511220352/1020 |title=Schmidt in war of words |access-date=February 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20060211084403/http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051122/NEWS01/511220352/1020 |archive-date=February 11, 2006}} . November 22, 2005.</ref>

===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.<ref>{{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=August 22, 2006 |first=Margaret |last=Talev |access-date = October 18, 2006}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Referring to the first report about Haditha<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1174682,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060512080601/http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1174682,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 12, 2006 |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? |magazine=TIME |date=March 19, 2006 |first=Tim |last=McGirk |access-date=October 18, 2006}}</ref> in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, Murtha said:<ref>{{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|access-date=March 1, 2010}}</ref>

<blockquote>It's much worse than reported in ''Time'' magazine. There was no firefight. 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."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/12838343|title=Lawmaker: Marines killed Iraqis 'in cold blood'|publisher=NBC News|date=May 17, 2006|first=Mike |last=Viqueira |access-date = October 18, 2006}}</ref> Murtha was criticized by conservatives for presenting a version of events as simple fact before an official investigation had been concluded.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTFmYmY2N2E5MmEwZTdkMWI0NjVmYWI2NmU5N2VhOTQ= |title=Profile in Disgrace |access-date=October 28, 2006 |last=Editors |date=May 23, 2006 |work=National Review Online |publisher=[[National Review]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019011314/http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTFmYmY2N2E5MmEwZTdkMWI0NjVmYWI2NmU5N2VhOTQ= |archive-date=October 19, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In August 2006, Staff Sergeant [[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.<ref>Pickler, Nedra. "[https://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.</ref>

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">{{cite web|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21200494.htm |title=U.S. Marines charged with murder in Haditha |access-date=January 19, 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119011308/http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21200494.htm |archive-date=January 19, 2007}}. Reuters AlertNet. Retrieved February 11, 2013.</ref> Charges were subsequently dropped against seven of the eight Marines involved: Capt. Lucas McConnell,<ref>{{Cite news |first=Adam |last=Tanner |title=U.S. officer charges dismissed in Haditha killings |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1845602020070918 |work=[[Reuters]] |publisher=Reuters |date=September 18, 2008 |access-date=August 26, 2009}}</ref> Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani,<ref>{{Cite news |first=Tony |last=Perry |title=Charges Against Marine Dropped|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/18/world/fg-haditha18 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=June 18, 2008 |access-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> Sgt. Sanick Dela Cruz,<ref>{{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=April 18, 2007 |access-date=August 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909225540/http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/article_bf1745e6-a5c0-5ab8-981c-c76b6acf4ea6.html |archive-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref> Lance Corporal Stephen Tatum,<ref>{{cite news |title=Charges dropped in Haditha case |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7319708.stm |work=BBC |date=March 28, 2008}}</ref> Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt, Capt. Randy Stone, and 1st Lt. Andrew Grayson. Only Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich still faced trial on 9 counts of involuntary manslaughter,<ref>{{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=May 5, 2009 |access-date=August 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713210237/http://nctimes.com/news/local/military/article_b3d1215f-9d90-5148-aa9c-cbe7425b9dc1.html |archive-date=July 13, 2012}}</ref> and in 2012 as part of a plea deal he pleaded guilty to one count of negligent dereliction of duty.<ref name="Perry">{{cite news |title=Marine gets no jail time in killing of 24 Iraqi civilians |author=Tony Perry |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-haditha-20120125,0,3372025.story |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 25, 2012 |access-date=January 30, 2012}}</ref>

===''Sun-Sentinel'' story and correction===
In a speech at [[Florida International University]] on June 24, 2006,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=6a7482dd8c4dac09c9dde09ca7427620.614115 |title=Rep. John Murtha D-PA |access-date=October 28, 2006 |date=June 24, 2006 |format=streaming video |work=Yahoo! Video |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060924045329/http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=6a7482dd8c4dac09c9dde09ca7427620.614115 |archive-date=September 24, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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 |access-date=October 28, 2006 |date=June 13, 2006 |work=Pew Global Attitudes Project |publisher=[[Pew Research Center]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008020203/http://pewglobal.org/reports/display.php?ReportID=252 |archive-date=October 8, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 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. Representative John Murtha, D-Pa., said to a crowd of more than 200 in North Miami Saturday afternoon."<ref>{{Cite news |title= Murtha says U.S. poses top threat to world peace |url=http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/135159 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020142548/http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/135159 |archive-date=October 20, 2006 |work=AZStarnet.com |publisher=[[Arizona Daily Star]] |date=June 25, 2006 |access-date=October 28, 2006}}</ref>

The ''Sun-Sentinel'' story was picked up by the wire services and the [[Drudge Report]] website,<ref>{{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... |access-date=October 28, 2006 |date=June 25, 2006 |publisher=DrudgeReportArchives.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060816170207/http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/data/2006/06/25/20060625_183801.htm |archive-date=August 16, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> leading several conservative pundits, including [[Bill O'Reilly (commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]],<ref>''The O'Reilly Factor'' [http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/oreilly/2006/06/27/president-bush-takes-new-york-times-and-other-committed-left-media President Bush takes ''New York Times'' and Other Committed Left Media] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529163700/http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/oreilly/2006/06/27/president-bush-takes-new-york-times-and-other-committed-left-media |date=May 29, 2014}}, June 27, 2006. Bill O'Reilly: "According to The Florida Sun-Sentinel, usually a very accurate paper, Congressman John Murtha actually said that the American presence in Iraq is more dangerous to world peace than nuclear threats from North Korea or Iran. Now "Talking Points" believes Murtha has lost all perspective and did months ago, but his message is firmly entrenched in America's far-left precincts."</ref> [[Tucker Carlson]],<ref>MSNBC, June 26, 2006. Tucker Carlson: "[Murtha] is in the thrall of people who, I think, have hostility towards the United States.</ref> and [[Newt Gingrich]]<ref>Fox News Channel, June 26, 2006. Newt Gingrich: "For an American congressman to say that is beyond any acceptable behavior, and I would hope the Congress would move to censure him."</ref> to comment. After the ''Sun-Sentinel'' issued a correction,<ref>''South Florida Sun-Sentinel'':{{cite web|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/custom/corrections/sfl-628correx,0,4239586.story?coll=sfla-news-corrections |title=Corrections and clarifications for June 28 |access-date=2013-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060707170507/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/custom/corrections/sfl-628correx%2C0%2C4239586.story?coll=sfla-news-corrections |archive-date=2006-07-07}}. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref> O'Reilly publicly apologized.<ref>FoxNews.com: ''The O'Reilly Factor'': [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,201700,00.html Cutting Through the Fog About Military Tribunals...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119020218/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,201700,00.html |date=2007-11-19}} June 30, 2006. O'Reilly: "The ''South Florida Sun-Sentinel'' misquoted Congressman John Murtha in remarks about who is dangerous to the world. The newspaper has apologized, and since we picked up the paper's quote we should apologize, as well. We did source the ''Sun-Sentinel'', but I should have checked it out myself and called Murtha's office. Sorry we didn't do that."</ref>

===2008 presidential election===
After having endorsed [[Hillary Clinton]], commenting on the prospects for the election of [[Barack Obama]] during the [[2008 United States presidential election|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."<ref>{{Cite news |title=John Murtha Calls Western Pa. 'Redneck' |work=[[WTAE-TV]] |date=October 20, 2009 |url=http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/politics/17764334/detail.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207104443/http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/politics/17764334/detail.html |archive-date=December 7, 2010}}</ref>

==Political views==
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 |access-date=October 28, 2006 |publisher=Project Vote Smart |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026225110/http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=H3460103&type=category&category=Gun%20Issues |archive-date=October 26, 2006}}</ref>

In 2004, he was one of only two congressmen to vote for a measure proposing reinstatement of [[Conscription in the United States|the draft]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Alexander |last=Bolton |title=Dems to revive draft demand |url=http://www.hillnews.com/news/100703/draft.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121171917/http://www.hillnews.com/news/100703/draft.aspx |archive-date=November 21, 2006 |work=The Hill |publisher=Capitol Hill Publishing Corp.|date=October 7, 2003 |access-date=October 28, 2006}}</ref>

Murtha voted for the [[Affordable Healthcare for America Act]] (HR 3692), which passed the House 220–215 on November 7, 2009.<ref>{{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]]|access-date=November 29, 2009}}</ref> 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>{{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]]|access-date=November 29, 2009}}</ref> However, Murtha did not support allowing [[abortion]]s 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>{{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]]|access-date=November 29, 2009}}</ref> He also voted for a bill to prohibit pregnant minors from crossing state borders to obtain abortions.<ref>{{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]]|access-date=November 29, 2009}}
</ref>

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 |last=Crabtree |first=Susan |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|access-date=November 29, 2009}}</ref> however, Murtha had held several conference call sessions with his constituents focused on healthcare.<ref name="Murtha Pressured" />

Murtha, an [[anti-abortion]] Democrat, did not receive favorable ratings from abortion and reproductive health interest groups.<ref>{{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]]|access-date=November 29, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202064724/http://www.murtha.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=606&Itemid=77|archive-date=December 2, 2009}}</ref> 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]]|access-date=November 29, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?r_id=4376|title=Planned Parenthood|publisher=[[Project Vote Smart]]|access-date=November 29, 2009}}</ref> 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>{{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]]|access-date=November 29, 2009}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
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.

===Death and legacy===
[[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]].<ref>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.</ref><ref>{{Cite news | last = Roddy | first =Dennis |author2=Daniel Malloy|author-link=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.stm}}</ref><ref>Hefling, Kimberly. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/08/AR2010020804287.html Congressman: Murtha's intestine damaged in surgery]{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. (February 8, 2010) ''[[The Washington Post]]''. Retrieved February 11, 2010.</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news | last = Keck| first =Kristi |author2=Elizabeth Cohen |author3=Sabriya Rice |author4=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.html}}</ref><ref>[[Associated Press]]. "Lawmaker's sudden death a reminder of surgery risks." (February 11, 2010) ''[[Tri-City Herald]]''. page D2. Neergaard, Lauran. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20181024084154/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.</ref> He was buried on February 16, 2010, at [[Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown|Grandview Cemetery]] in [[Johnstown, Pennsylvania]].<ref>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.</ref>

[[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."<ref>"[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/32698.html Pelosi's statement on Murtha's death]". (February 8, 2010) ''[[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]]''. Retrieved February 11, 2010.</ref><ref>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.</ref>

On April 9, 2010, [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[Ray Mabus]] signed an official memo to the [[Chief of Naval Operations]], designating the naming of an [[amphibious transport dock]] (LPD), a type of naval warship, as the {{USS|John P. Murtha}} (LPD-26).<ref name="lpd">{{Cite news |url= http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/04/navy_murtha_gator_041310w/ |title=Navy to name LPD 26 for Rep. John Murtha |last=Ewing|first=Phillip |date=April 13, 2010 |publisher=NavyTimes |access-date=April 13, 2010}}</ref> The ''Navy Times'' said the official announcement "added fuel to an already smoldering backlash online."<ref>"Controversy flares over ship named for Murtha" by Philip Ewing, ''NavyTimes.com'', April 28, 2010, [http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/04/navy_murtha_backlash_042710w/ As Retrieved 2010-04-28]</ref>

In October 2011, it was revealed that the FBI had investigated Murtha for possible ethics violations.<ref name="possibleethicsviolations">{{Cite news |url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_47/FBI-Saw-Dark-Side-of-Rep-John-Murtha-209736-1.html |title=FBI Saw Dark Side of Rep. John Murtha}} October 25, 2011.</ref> No charges were ever filed.<ref>[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-02-08-john-murtha-obit_N.htm]</ref>

A [[2010 Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district special election|special election]] was 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 |newspaper=The Hill |access-date=March 8, 2010}}</ref> The Democratic candidate, [[Mark Critz]], defeated Republican candidate [[Tim Burns (Pennsylvania businessman)|Tim Burns]] to win Murtha's seat.<ref name="specialelectionresults">{{Cite news |url=http://www.sacbee.com/2010/05/18/2760526/dems-win-special-pa-election-retain.html |title=Dems win special Pa. election, retain Murtha seat}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

The University of Pittsburgh houses The John P. Murtha Congressional Papers containing the documentation of Representative Murtha and his duties while in office. The collection contains correspondence, legislative files, reports, subjects covering the Defense Department, the Department of the Interior, economic development, energy, and labor. The collection also contains photographic and audio-video materials, memorabilia, and awards.<ref>{{cite web
| title = John P. Murtha Congressional Papers, Guides to Archives and Manuscript Collections at the University of Pittsburgh Library System |publisher= Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh| url = http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=ascead;cc=ascead;type=simple;rgn=Entire%20Finding%20Aid;view=reslist;subview=standard;sort=occur;start=1;size=25;didno=US-PPiU-ais201004
| access-date = November 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Pitt makes Rep. John P. Murtha papers accessible | publisher = American Libraries Magazine | url = http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/latest-links/pitt-makes-rep-john-p-murtha-papers-accessible/ | access-date = July 24, 2016}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* [[2010 Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district special election]]
* [[List of United States Congress members who died in office]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links}}
* {{CongLinks | congbio=m001120 | votesmart=27048 | fec=H6PA12030 | congress=}}
*{{C-SPAN|John Murtha}}
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=John_Murtha Profile] at [[SourceWatch]]
* {{IMDb name|2117574}}
* {{Find a Grave|47806007}}
* [https://vault.fbi.gov/John%20Murtha FBI Records: The Vault - John Murtha] (over 1,100 pages)
'''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). [https://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 |author-link=Jim Miklaszewski |last1=Miklaszewski |first1=Jim |last2=Viqueira |first2=Mike |date=May 17, 2006
|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/12838343 |title=Lawmaker: Marines killed Iraqis 'in cold blood' |publisher=[[NBC News]]}}
* Murtha, John [https://web.archive.org/web/20070527092615/http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa12_murtha/pr051117iraq.html John Murtha's Iraq Exit Strategy] November 17, 2005.
* [https://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.nbcnews.com/id/10097801 Murtha calls for change in U.S. Iraq policy (Associated Press)]
* [http://vault.fbi.gov/John%20Murtha FBI files on John Murtha ]
* [http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Rep._Murtha_says_Rumsfeld_Cheney_should_0319.html Rep. Murtha says Rumsfeld, Cheney should resign] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412004400/http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Rep._Murtha_says_Rumsfeld_Cheney_should_0319.html |date=April 12, 2006 }}
* [https://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!]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100214161650/http://myjohnstownpa.com/featured/john-murtha-passes-away/ John Murtha Passes Away (MyJohnstownPA)]
'''Collection'''
* [http://murtha.pitt.edu/highlights.html John Murtha collection] at the University of Pittsburgh

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{{S-ttl|title=Member of the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] from [[Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district]]|years=1974–2010}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Mark Critz]]}}
{{S-par|us-pa-hs}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Edward McNally (Pennsylvania)|Edward McNally]]1}}
{{S-ttl|title=Member of the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives]] for the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 72|72nd District]]|years=1969–1973}}
{{S-aft|after=[[James Whelan (Pennsylvania politician)|James Whelan]]}}
{{S-ref|As representative-elect.}}
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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Murtha, John}}
[[Category:1932 births]]
[[Category:2010 deaths]]
[[Category:Abscam]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania Democrats]]
[[Category:Politicians from Johnstown, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Politicians from Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps colonels]]
[[Category:University of Pittsburgh alumni]]
[[Category:University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown alumni]]
[[Category:Washington & Jefferson College alumni]]
[[Category:People from New Martinsville, West Virginia]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:20th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:The Kiski School alumni]]

Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

John Murtha