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Rep. John Murtha
Democratic Congressman from PA's 12th District
U.S. Representative John P. Murtha has dedicated his life to serving his country both in the military and in the halls of Congress. He had a long and distinguished 37-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring from the Marine Corps Reserve as a colonel in 1990. The first Vietnam War combat Veteran elected to Congress, he has been serving the people of the 12th Congressional District since 1974.
Congressman Murtha is highly respected for his first-hand knowledge of military and national security issues. He has been a trusted adviser to presidents of both parties and is one of the most effective advocates for our national defense. Currently the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, he oversees appropriations for the Department of Defense, which includes the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and the intelligence community.
Congressman Murtha has worked hard to bring thousands of family-sustaining jobs to Western Pennsylvania. He has fought for a patient's bill of rights, prescription drug benefits, a higher minimum wage, and protecting Medicare, Social Security and veterans' and miners' benefits. His mission to improve access to preventative medicine, expand medical research, and ensure that health care is affordable has benefited people across our country. These efforts have resulted in over $2.2 billion for breast cancer research and over $125 million for diabetes research and education.
Congressman Murtha has traveled around the world leading Congressional and Presidential fact-finding missions, meeting with foreign leaders, monitoring international elections and representing the United States Congress abroad.
Congressman Murtha is currently the ninth most senior member of the 435 member U.S. House of Representatives. Of the nearly 10,000 men and women who have served in the U.S. House of Representatives, only 59 have served longer than he has.
Congressman Murtha's countless honors include the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, the National Breast Cancer Coalition Leadership Award, and Pennsylvania's two highest honors, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.