1,461 Days - The Story of the Obama Administration

Congressman John Murtha passed away peacefully with his family at his side this afternoon at 1:18 Pm. He was in the VA Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia recovering from gallbladder surgery last month.

Murtha, 77, was Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.


Murtha was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1974. He spent the majority of his life in service of his country through his service in the Marines and in Congress. He was the first Vietnam War combat Veteran to be elected to the US. Congress.

This past Saturday, February 6, 2010, Murtha became Pennsylvania’s longest serving Member of Congress.

A bio on Congressman Murtha is available on his official website.

He was revered by Republicans and Democrats alike for his skill and ability to maintain his position in Congress for 19 terms. He was Nancy Pelosi's right hand-man and was considered one of the most influential people still standing on Capitol Hill. Some say he was the architect behind Pelosi's rise through the Democratic ranks.

Congressman Murtha was also known as the "King of Pork". Political cartoons characterized him in hoggish fashion wielding huge military contracts here and there with a swipe of his pen. He had been on the Hill long enough to know how to control the political machine enough to give him the upper hand in many dealings. He was a mentor to many and an idol to others. He was not liked by everyone, but he had respect from many on both sides of the isles of the 435-member U.S. House of Representatives.

Congressman Murtha’s countless honors include the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award; the National Breast Cancer Coalition Leadership Award; Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry's Government Leader of the Year; Pittsburgh's Riverperson of the Year; the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's National Patriots Award; and Pennsylvania's two highest honors, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.

President Obama released the following statement on the White House web site:

Michelle and I were deeply saddened today to hear about the passing of Congressman John Murtha. Jack was a devoted husband, a loving father and a steadfast advocate for the people of Pennsylvania for nearly 40 years. His passion for service was born during his decorated career in the United States Marine Corps, and he went on to earn the distinction of being the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress. 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.

The Presidents post can be read here.



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New information in the explosion and injuries has come out from the city and law enforcement agencies of Middletown Ct.

Update on the Blast from the office of Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano

5 people were killed in the blast and at least 12 people were injured. Search and rescue teams are being assisted by the use of dogs in the search for additional people who may be trapped in the rubble from the blast.

There were multiple contractors on the job site at the time of the explosion which caused mass confusion on the numbers and estimates of casualties. The contractors are currently working with officials to put together a list of all employees who were on site at the time of the blast.

The names of those who were killed or injured in the blast have not been released as the families have yet to be notified.

OSHA is currently on the scene.

Five emergency response teams are still on the scene at this time. The fire has been put out and at this time the main suspicion is that a ruptured natural gas pipe led to the explosion today.

The Red Cross is on site and have set up a Family and Victim crisis intervention site at the city hall located at 245 DeKoven Drive in Middletown. The Red Cross has also set up a hot-line families gain information - you can call (800) 347-2577 if you believe a family member or loved one was at the job site today and you need information on there current condition or where abouts.

Read the official press release from the Middletown Mayors office here.

Statement from Ct. Gov. Jodi Rell on the Middletown plant explosion
4:42 PM:

"The scene in Middletown is still very active and dozens of state, local and other officials are working tirelessly. Their efforts are expected to continue through the rest of the day and night and into tomorrow. As details are confirmed, Middletown officials, who have control of the scene, will brief the community and the media.

"I thank the many first responders who are braving the very cold and windy conditions. I ask the people of Connecticut to keep those working at the plant at the time of the explosion and their families in their prayers."

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A cold Sunday morning in Connecticut was shattered just before 11:30 by an explosion that could be felt as far away as 30 miles from the point of origin. The explosion occurred in Middletown, which is located 23 miles south of Connecticut's capital city of Hartford.

Construction workers at Kleen Energy Systems on River Road in Middletown Connecticut were possibly testing the facility that is currently under construction when an explosion ripped the building apart. Reports claim that "There are bodies everywhere," though the current un-confirmed death toll from the explosion is at two, there are nearly 100 injured.

Reports state that 50 construction workers were on the site at the time of the explosion.

The power plant, which had not finished the construction phase was designed to be a 620 megawatt natural gas-fired power plant. According to one website for a construction company that is involved in the project, there is over 5,000 tons of steel in this building of the power plant.

Kleen Energy Systems 620 MW Combined Cycle Electric Generating Facility is unlike older power plants that operate at less than 30 percent efficiency. This new gas-fired, combined cycle power plant is designed to operate at over 60 percent efficiency. The combined cycle process achieves this increased efficiency by sending waste heat from the gas turbine generator, that would normally be lost, to a steam turbine to generate even more electricity. Effectively doubling the production and reducing the cost per MW produced.

The plants major components consist of two Siemens SGT6-5000F dual fuel combustion turbines, one high-pressure Siemens SST-5000 steam turbine, heat recovery steam generators, cooling towers and a 345 kV gas-insulated switch-yard with step-up transformers.

The cause of today's deadly explosion is under investigation. Teams are still on site sifting through the rubble to see if there are any people trapped in the building or more injured or killed in the blast.

The plant was expected to go on line by June 1, 2010

Gov. Jodi Rell reportedly arrived on the scene just before 2:30 Pm.


According to an official press release from the office of the Mayor, Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, terrorism is not suspected in the explosion.

Governor Rell has activated the Emergency Operations Center in Hartford and is being staffed by:

the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), Department of Public Health (DPH), the National Guard and the State Police. DPH is providing tents at the scene for shelter and medical triage. The Governor has also activated the Urban Search and Rescue Team.






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