R.I.P. Pennsylvania Congressman John P. Murtha

Congressman John P. Murtha (PA-12) passed away peacefully this afternoon at 1:18 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. At his bedside was his family.

Murtha, 77, was Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in February of 1974, Murtha dedicated his life to serving his country both in the military and in the halls of Congress. A former Marine, he became the first Vietnam War combat Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress.

This past Saturday, February 6, 2010, Murtha became Pennsylvania’s longest serving Member of Congress.

Rep. John Murtha Thinks Hardball's Chris Matthews Should Be Senator

At an event U.S. Rep John Murtha said that he believed long-time political pundit MSNBC and former San Francisco Examiner Columnist Chris Matthews would make a great Senator

To me, that would mean the loss of a great political pundit.