This afternoon, Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) passed away at age 77. First elected in 1974, Congressman Murtha was Pennsylvania's longest-serving representative and the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress.

On his passing today, President Obama said that following Murtha's career in the Marines, "Jack’s tough-as-nails reputation carried over to Congress, where he became a respected voice on issues of national security. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife of nearly 55 years, Joyce, their three children, and the entire Murtha family."

Chairman Tim Kaine issued the following statement:

“Today we mourn the loss of a great American figure who dedicated his life to serving his country both in the military and in the halls of Congress. Congressman Murtha had a storied 37-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps and in 1974 he became the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress.

“Just the other day, Congressman Murtha became the longest serving Pennsylvanian in the history of the House of Representatives. During his career, he worked hard to bring tens of thousands of middle class jobs to western Pennsylvania. His legacy as a fighter for his causes and his constituents will be remembered long after his passing.

“Our thoughts and prayers today are with the Congressman’s wife, his children and his grandchildren.”

Donna Brazile, DNC Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation, energized a crowd of hundreds of African American leaders and voters on Thursday in Nevada.

Addressing more than 400 participants at the Culinary Training Academy in North Las Vegas, Vice Chair Brazile came with a strong message of support for her friend Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

As reported by the Las Vegas Sun, she told supporters, “Harry Reid is part of our family – not just the Democratic family or the black family but the American family. I am proud to be an African American for Harry Reid.” She continued, ”In the bank of justice, he has a full account. Some people don’t even have an account. He opened that account decades ago, long before it was fashionable to back this and support that. He opened his account because of his faith. And he believes that God made us all equal.”

Participants left fired up and ready to go with clear instructions to continue carrying the message of support for Senator Reid to others in their community.

Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Sam Liberman was thrilled with the turnout and said “Donna’s heart, humor, and keen insight are an inspiration to multiple generations of Democratic voters. Her support of Senator Reid is unwavering and much appreciated by Nevadans and Democrats across the country.”

You can read more about the event as reported by the Las Vegas Sun.

Richard Burr Joins GOP Health Insurance Reform Obstructionists
Burr denies coverage to 1.4 million uninsured North Carolinians

read more

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine and DNC Vice Chair for Voter Registration and Participation Donna Brazile issued the following statement on yesterday’s ruling by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey keeping in place a consent decree barring the Republican National Committee from voter intimidation and asserting that Republicans still have an incentive to engage in such illegal practices. Late last year the RNC asked that the consent decree, which it agreed to in 1982, be nullified, going so far as to argue that because the President and U.S. Attorney General are African American, there is no longer any reason for Republicans to be subject to limits on efforts to engage in “ballot security measures.” To read the decision, click here: http://my.democrats.org/page/-/pdf/voter_protection/DNCvRNC_Opinion_12.1.09.PDF

“Yesterday's ruling is a victory for all Americans who believe that every eligible citizen should have the right to vote and have their vote counted. It also represents a resounding repudiation of the Republican Party's trumped up claims of voter fraud. Our great nation was founded on the principles of equality and freedom, and our founders envisioned the right to vote as central to our ideals. Yet for years, Republicans have engaged in deplorable practices that intimidate voters and make it more difficult for them to cast their ballot.

“This is wrong, and it is illegal. As the court made clear, these types of actions stand in the way of Americans’ fundamental rights under the Constitution of the United States. Republicans would be better served trying to engage minority and under-represented voters rather than trying to intimidate them. Yet there is overwhelming evidence that these types of practices still occur, that Republicans have engaged in them in recent elections and that without a consent decree barring such actions Republicans will continue to have an incentive to engage in them. That Republicans, who attempted to use foreclosure lists in the 2008 election to deny people the right to vote in Michigan, even asked the court to nullify this decree, shows just how eager they are to continue engaging in practices to suppress the rightful votes of thousands of American citizens.

“These are not the ideals that our country was founded on, and they should not be tolerated. We applaud yesterday’s decision and recommit ourselves to fighting to ensure that the right to vote is fully protected. And we encourage Republicans to work with us to reform our electoral system to remove any impediments to voting and to ensure our voting rights laws are enforced consistent with the law.”

Congratulations to the newly-elected officers. This is the only slate of officers recognized by the Party.
They include:

President: Harold Hairston

read more