John P. (Jack) Murtha, the longest-serving U.S. Representative from PA, died yesterday following complications from a gall bladder infection.

Murtha represented a small, poor district in western PA for 44 years. He was also Chairman of the House defense appropriations subcommittee, an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq, and a Vietnam veteran who often spoke out in support of our troops. Say what you will about him, but he was never afraid to say what was on his mind. He also made sure to look after the groups of people he thought were important – particularly his constituents. He will be terribly, terribly missed.