TREA WASHINGTON UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY 12, 2010
Well, as you may have heard Washington DC has been hit by 2 major snowstorms (one was a blizzard) in less than a week. We clawed our way to the office today but the city has been completely shut down all week. The House of Representatives closed for the full week. So you should be warned NOTHING MUCH HAPPENED THIS WEEK. The Update will be very short. But at the very least we can wish you all both a Very Happy Valentine’s Day and a Very Happy Presidents Day.
1) Representative John P. Murtha (D-PA) and Former Representative Charlie Wilson (D-TX) Die
(I told you it would be short)
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1) Representative John P. Murtha (D-PA) and Former Representative Charlie Wilson (D-TX) Die-This week two men who were hugely influential in military matters died suddenly. Representative Murtha, the present Chairman of the House of Representative’s Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense, and thus one of the most important people in Washington dealing with defense issues, died of complications after gall bladder surgery. Rep. Murtha was the first Vietnam Veteran to be elected to Congress. Rep Murtha served as an intelligence officer for the 1st Battalion 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division where he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V”, and two Purple Hearts. He was first elected in 1974 and served in the House from that time till the day he died. As Chairman of the Defense Subcommittee he had enormous say on how much money DoD received and how they were allowed to spend it.
Representative Charlie Wilson was (as anyone who goes to movies knows) a major Congressional supporter of the CIA’s covert operation to support the Afghan Mujahideen during the Soviet Union’s war in Afghanistan. He was a graduate of the Naval Academy where he still holds the record of graduating with the most demerits. He served 12 terms in the House of Representatives until retiring in 1997. He died suddenly of (it is believed) a heart attack.
Both men were considered swashbucklers in Congress. Rep. Murtha was seen that way for his enormous use of earmarks for his district and being an unindicted co-conspirator in the Abscam probe. And Charlie Wilson for his well known interest in women, liquor and (it was rumored drugs.) But it must be remembered that both men were great supporters of the military and the men and women who serve. Below you can find tributes from Secretary of Defense Gates for Representative Wilson, a statement by Secretary of the Army John McHugh for Representative Murtha and a tribute from Secretary of the VA Eric Shinseki for Representative Murtha
Secretary Gates on Death of Congressman Charlie Wilson
“I had the unforgettable experience of knowing Congressman Wilson when I was at CIA and he was working tirelessly on behalf of the Afghan resistance fighting the Soviets. As the world now knows, his efforts and exploits helped repel an invader, liberate a people, and bring the Cold War to a close. After the Soviets left, Charlie kept fighting for the Afghan people and warned against abandoning that traumatized country to its fate --a warning we should have heeded then, and should remember today.
“America has lost an extraordinary patriot whose life showed, once more, that one brave and determined person can alter the course of history. My condolences to Barbara and the rest of the Wilson family.”
Statement on the Death of Congressman John Murtha by Secretary of the Army John McHugh
"I was greatly saddened to learn of the death of Congressman John Murtha. His unwavering devotion to our men and women in uniform strengthened our nation and will be his legacy.
"Although most will remember Congressman Murtha for his public service– first in the Marine Corps and then in Congress – I will remember him as someone who cared deeply for our men and women in uniform.
"When I was a newly elected member of Congress, Jack set aside partisan politics and joined me to visit Fort Drum and the men and women of the 10th Mountain Division.
"During my nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, I often worked with Jack to bring the necessary resources to our troops. I'm grateful for the example he set, always putting the interests of the military ahead of his own and never losing sight of the individual service member for whom he felt a deep sense of gratitude.
"The Army – the entire military – has lost one of its most steadfast advocates in Congressman Murtha. His legacy of devotion to the defense of our nation lives on in those he inspired and in those for whom he dedicated his life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2010
Secretary Shinseki Mourns Loss of Rep. Murtha
Congressman Gave Veterans a “Strong Voice on Capitol Hill”
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki mourned the loss of Rep. John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations’ subcommittee on defense and a champion of the Nation’s Veterans. Murtha died Feb. 8 at age 77.
“As the first Vietnam War combat Veteran elected to Congress and a career Reservist, Congressman Murtha understood the challenges that our Nation’s servicemembers face every day,” said Shinseki. “He dedicated his life to serving his country and helped give Veterans a stronger voice on Capitol Hill. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Murtha family.”
A former Marine, Murtha was elected to the Congress in 1974. Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1990, he was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal by the Marine Corps commandant.
Murtha joined the Marines in 1952 when he left Washington and Jefferson College. He earned the American Spirit Honor Medal, awarded to fewer than one in 10,000 recruits. He rose through the ranks to become a drill instructor at Parris Island and was selected for Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Va. He then was assigned to the Second Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C. In 1959, Capt. Murtha took command of the 34th Special Infantry Company, Marine Corps Reserves, in Johnstown, Penn.
Murtha remained in the Reserves after his discharge from active duty until he volunteered for Vietnam in 1966, where he served as the intelligence officer for the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Murtha received the Bronze Star with Combat "V", two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
In his 2004 book, From Vietnam to 9/11, Murtha wrote, "Ever since I was a young boy, I had two goals in life – I wanted to be a colonel in the Marine Corps and a member of Congress."
On Feb. 6, 2010, Murtha became Pennsylvania’s longest serving member of Congress.
2) Federal Employees Money Saving Ideas-President Obama’s FY2011 budget included 20 cost saving ideas from federal employees throughout the government. Three of them were from VA employees:
1) Allow Veterans to Keep Medication When They're Discharged: The award-winning SAVE Award idea would allow veterans leaving VA medical facilities to keep leftover medications, including eye drops and inhalers. The plan would save taxpayers $14.5 million in the next four years.
2) Personal Computer Power Savings at VA: The department will save $32.5 million over four years by using energy efficient software, including systems that will make laptops "hibernate" when not in use to save battery power. VA has more than 300,000 personal computers.
3) Oracle Enterprise License Agreement: VA will award one Oracle ELA (Enterprise License Agreement) to consolidate all of the existing Oracle software programs currently owned by the Department. The plan should save $117.75 million over four years.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!!!
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