John Murtha Laid To Rest

U.S.Representative John Murtha's funeral service was held Tuesday morning at Westmont Presbyterian Church just outside of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, his hometown. He represented the area since 1974.

Among those in the packed church were Former President Bill Clinton, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who led a Congressional delegation of fifty. She spoke of his years of service, his support of veterans and scientific research and the twinkle in his eye. His daughter Donna Murtha delivered a tearful eulogy where she spoke of her father's love of family and his love of nature. Rev. Douglas Stevens said Murtha showed the same courage in his work as he did on the battlefield.

Murtha died on February 8 after complications from gallbladder surgery. He was 77 years old.

He was the head of the House appropriations defense committee, the first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress, the longest serving member of the House in Pennsylvania history. He was an outspoken critic of the Iraq war.