For Immediate Release
February 9, 2010
STEEL INDUSTRY LEADERS EXPRESS SORROW OVER DEATH OF LEGENDARY
LAWMAKER MURTHA
WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the American Iron and Steel Institute
(AISI) and steel industry leaders nationwide expressed sorrow over the
death of Congressman John P. Murtha, Jr. (D-Pa.), a decorated war
veteran who was a beloved and revered 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 Corporation 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. His personal engagement with every President since
Gerald Ford, to maintain a fair and competitive marketplace for American
manufacturers, is legendary. Jack was, at heart, a great patriot
and we have always been proud to be an essential element in his powerful
advocacy for national and economic security. It will be our
continuing purpose to do our part in keeping his vision for a free,
prosperous and safe America alive.
“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.”
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 material of choice. AISI plays a
lead role in the development and application of new steels and
steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 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. AISI's member companies represent over 75 percent of
both U.S. and North American steel capacity. For more news about
steel and its applications, view AISI’s Web site at www.steel.org.
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For More Information:
CONTACT:
Nancy
Gravatt
Vice President, Communications American Iron and Steel Institute
tel: 202.452.7115
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