Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on the death of Rep. John Murtha:

“Today, I join the rest of America as we mourn the death of one of our nation’s greatest political hero’s, Rep. John Murtha. To the Murtha Family, I want to express my deepest condolences. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

“One of my fondest and most lasting memories of Rep. Murtha is the fact that he was the only Congressman outside of New York to endorse me during my 2006 campaign race for the 11th Congressional District of New York. At a forum in the summer of 2006, Rep. Murtha came to New York and passionately spoke out against that war in Iraq, which helped galvanize support around my campaign.

“Rep. Murtha had an undeniable presence that will be greatly missed on Capitol Hill. He truly is an amazing public servant, a true American hero, and a dear colleague. Again, I will miss Rep. Murtha, and this will be made ever so clear when I walk past the farthest left corner seat on the House floor where he always sat. It is fair to say that Congress and America will never be the same without him.”