While Chairman Murtha was a tireless advocate for the Pennsylvania
National Guard, he was also a national leader who consistently pressed
for a stronger National Guard nationwide. He was particularly
dedicated to improving the quantity and quality of National Guard
equipment.
His support for the Guard was evident through his strong
support for added funding through the defense appropriation
subcommittee, which he led. Congressman Murtha also championed
important reforms to laws governing the National Guard.
He was an early prominent public supporter of the legislation enacted in 2007
which strengthened the voice of the National Guard inside the Pentagon
through several changes, which included making the National Guard
Bureau a joint activity of DoD and elevating the position of the Chief of
the National Guard Bureau to 4-star rank.
Congressman Murtha's powerful and consistent advancement of the
National Guard has been profound and he will be deeply missed.