Program Directory

 
City Club of Cleveland - U.S. Representative John P. Murtha
City Club of Cleveland
 
 
 
Congressman John Murtha, a retired 37-year career Marine and representative since 1974, will tell us what he sees as really happening in Iraq and his position that American troops should redeploy out of an Iraq caught up in a civil war and rebuild for a global war against terrorism.

Murtha is so well-respected for his first-hand knowledge of military and defense issues that he has been a trusted adviser to presidents of both parties on military. An advocate for the military, he is ranking member and former chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

Learning military service from the bottom up, Murtha began as a recruit in 1952 and retired as a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1990. His combat service in Vietnam earned him the Bronze Star with Combat V, two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal by the Marine Corps Commandant when he retired.

Murtha has worked hard to bring jobs to his district. He fights for policies that help people, including a patients bill of rights, prescription-drug benefits, a better minimum wage, and protecting Medicare, Social Security and veterans benefits. He has also crusaded to improve the health care, especially in the areas of diabetes and the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

His honors include the National Breast Cancer Coalition Leadership Award, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry's Government Leader of the Year, Pittsburgh's Riverperson of the Year and Pennsylvania's two highest honors, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
April 10, 2006