The chairman of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the president of the United Steelworkers (USW), and other steel industry leaders expressed sorrow over the death of Congressman John P. Murtha, Jr. (D-Pa.), a decorated war veteran who was a founding member of the Congressional Steel Caucus during his 19-term career in Congress.
“America’s steel industry has lost a good friend with the passing of Congressman John P. Murtha,” said James L. Wainscott, Chairman, President, and CEO of AK Steel, and AISI's chairman. “He was a strong and tireless advocate for the industry and the tens of thousands of steel-related jobs in communities across the nation. Above all, Congressman Murtha exemplified service to our nation in many ways. He was a decorated military combat veteran and the longest-serving U.S. House member from Pennsylvania. His support of our industry, along with his leadership and service to our country, will be sadly missed. We extend our thoughts and prayers to his family.”
"It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death of Congressman John Murtha," said John P. Surma, Chairman and CEO of United States Steel Corp. and an AISI Director. "Jack was a leading force for American manufacturing and spent decades championing the cause of a strong and vibrant domestic steel industry. As co-founder of the Congressional Steel Caucus, time after time he shouldered the heaviest challenges to preserve our industry, repeatedly bringing his colleagues together to fight unfairly traded steel imports, among other key issues.”
“Jack Murtha was truly one-of-a-kind. A decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, he brought his courage and first-hand knowledge of the military to the Halls of Congress. As a member of the Steel Caucus, he was a pivotal figure in conveying to his fellow members of Congress how essential having a healthy domestic steel industry is to America’s economic and national security,” AISI President and CEO Thomas J. Gibson said. “He was an important voice on Capitol Hill and was part of sustained congressional efforts to keep domestic manufacturing jobs here in America.
“On behalf of AISI and our members nationwide, we extend our sincere condolences to the Murtha family. He will always be remembered as a loyal friend of America’s steel industry and its workers,” Gibson said.
"The passing of Rep. John Murtha is a great lost to the working families of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the veterans who defend the nation. He was a steadfast advocate for Steelworkers in Johnstown, Latrobe, and Greensburg, giving decorated service to his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, plus stewardship as chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense,” said Leo W. Gerard, International President of the USW.
"In 1979, he co-founded the Congressional Steel Caucus that continues today as one of the most effective legislative support groups for steel manufacturing jobs and policies to stop unfair steel imports,” Gerard continued. “Murtha's Corner on the floor of Congress was the place to go for building coalitions that fought for a patient's bill of rights, prescription drug benefits, a higher minimum age, and protecting Medicare, Social Security, veterans' and miners' benefits.”
AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. The Institute comprises 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.