Long-serving US congressman dies at 77

Washington - Representative John Murtha, a long-serving Democratic and influential congressman, died Monday at the age of 77 after undergoing gall bladder surgery, local media reported. Murtha had represented Pennsylvania's 12 District since 1974. He was a former Marine and a well-respected voice on military affairs. He held the powerful chairmanship of the House subcommittee for defence appropriations.

Murtha had recently been admitted to a Virginia hospital just outside Washington suffering from a serious infection that was believed to have resulted from the surgery.

He was the longest-serving member of Congress in the history of Pennsylvania.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/308164,long-serving-us-congressman-dies-at-77.html.