Profiles In Courage

"A lie is a lie. It is a misrepresentation of fact." –Senator J. William Fulbright referring to President Johnson's official statements concerning the Tonkin Gulf "incidents"

"Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency? "
- Special Counsel for the Army Joseph N. Welch to Senator Joseph R. McCarthy

Although I disagree with about half of John Murtha's politics, I totally agree that he deserves this award. What he did on the floor of the House gave the Anti-war movement a figure that appeals to both sides of the political divide. A conservative, hawkish, Democrat willing to stand up and call the Administration's bluff. Murtha was ridiculed by the talking heads, that carry water for the Iraqi occupation, and made to seem a man alone by cowards within his own party.

John Murtha you have the honesty and integrity that allows me to transcend our political differences and stand with you. There are those who sit with you in the House that can learn a lot from you; and yes I am talking about members of my own party.

Murtha to Receive JFK Award for Iraq Stance
By KIMBERLY HEFLING
The Associated Press
Monday, May 22, 2006; 6:44 AM

WASHINGTON -- The first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress, Rep. John Murtha took pride in politicking quietly, behind the scenes, with Republicans and fellow Democrats alike. Washington has become more deeply partisan since Murtha was swept into office more than 30 years ago, and so has Murtha _ in a very public way.

On Monday, Murtha is to be awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in Boston for his bold pronouncement that U.S. troops should be pulled out of Iraq _ a statement many say helped change the public debate over the war, because of Murtha's past as a Democratic hawk and retired Marines Reserves colonel who enjoyed easy access to presidents.

"There aren't many around like him any more," said Jack Johannes, a political science professor at Villanova University. "As a result, when the generations change, the environments change, even someone like John Murtha has to change."

To see a list of other recipients of this award visit The JFK Library page here.
John Murtha's views on the issues can be found at On The Issues.