U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) died Monday. He had been suffering complications from gallbladder surgery. Jack Murtha was 77.
John Murtha died at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. A local news station said the congressman had died in the hospital with his family by his side at 1:18 PM ET Monday.
Born June 17, 1932 in West Virginia, John Murtha was elected to Congress in a special election in 1974. Having joined the Marines when he was younger, in 1990, he retired from the Marine Reserves with the rank of colonel.
According to his biography on the House of Representatives Web site, John Murtha was the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress. However, was also considered one of the "kings of pork" by taxpayer watchdog groups who criticized him for his use of earmarks.
Although not charged, John Murtha was also caught up in the FBI's Abscam investigation in 1980. At that time, undercover agents offered bribes to several members of Congress. Murtha was videotaped turning down a bribe. He said he wasn't interested, but added seemed to leave the door open. He said, "We do business for a while, maybe I'll be interested and maybe I won't."
In 2006, when the Democrats captured control of the House for the first time in 12 years, Rep. Nancy Pelosi endorsed John Murtha for majority leader. However, caucus members picked Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) instead.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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