Representative John Murtha, 77, died February 8th following complications with gallbladder surgery at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va. Congressman Murtha represented the 12th District of Pennsylvania, which encompasses a large portion of the southwestern corner of the Commonwealth. Congressman Murtha had been representing Pennsylvania in Congress for 36 years, and recently, on February 5, 2010, became the longest serving member of Congress from Pennsylvania.

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced that a special election to fill Congressman Murtha's term will be held simultaneously with the May 18 primary election.

Congressman Murtha's mission to improve access to preventative medicine and expand medical research has benefited people across Pennsylvania, as well as the country. He worked with breast cancer survivor advocate groups to provide more than $2.5 billion for breast cancer research through the Department of Defense. This funding has led to state-of-the-art research for detecting and treating breast cancer, and has resulted in early detection technologies like imaging tools and molecular studies that yield more reliable results. Congressman Murtha also secured funding to create a world-class breast health facility at Windber Medical Center.

He was a strong supporter of research initiatives in women's health, osteoporosis, neurofibromatosis, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, tuberous sclerosis and chronic myelogenous leukemia.

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