Congresswoman Maxine Waters Remembers Congressman John Murtha

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) released the following statement following the death of Congressman John Murtha (PA-12):

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague Congressman John Murtha. His family and friends, the people of Pennsylvania's 12th District, and his colleagues in Congress have lost a larger-than-life figure who will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Murtha's family and friends during this very difficult time.

Congressman Murtha was an effective public policy maker, a leader and an expert on defense matters who didn't hesitate to speak out on what he believed in.  The entire Congress looked to him for leadership on this and other matters, for his words of wisdom often related just as much to life as they did to public policy. A crowd of regular Members gathered around his seat on the House floor every day, asking him for advice or just chatting with him. I know I and the other Members that occasionally stopped by will miss visiting him there too, and hope that we can memorialize his seat with a plaque so that current and future Members will always be reminded of the man that sat there.

During my chairmanship of the Out of Iraq Caucus, Congressman Murtha provided important advice and strategy. A decorated military veteran and the first Vietnam combat Veteran to serve in Congress, he spoke out early and forcefully on the need to bring our troops home from Iraq. He took a lot of heat for his stance, but he was so principled and so well respected that it didn't stop him from advocating for what he believed in. And his commitment to the troops was unwavering. Many Sundays he visited wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in Washington. Congressman Murtha was adamant about their care, and understood so well what it truly meant to be there for our brave men and women in uniform. He always was a voice encouraging them they could overcome, they could get well, and they had a life ahead of them.

He was also a very friendly man. Congressman Murtha never hesitated to compliment other Members on their public policy successes and even on their attire. He was always impeccably dressed himself, and I am going to miss being able to compliment him on his beautiful ties and stylish suits.

I will miss him terribly, and I know that the people of Pennsylvania's 12th District have lost a tireless advocate on their behalf. Let us all take comfort in his decades of work as a public official and the legacy that he leaves behind."

###