RUSSELL CALLS MURTHA SHIP-NAMING AN INSULT

By RUSSELL FOR CONGRESS

(JOHNSTOWN, PA) – Republican 12th Congressional District candidate William Russell today called on U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to reconsider his decision to name the 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship after the late Rep. John P. Murtha. Russell called the decision an insult to all the brave men and women serving in uniform, as a result of Mr. Murtha’s 2006 comments calling Marines “cold-blooded killers.” Russell also pointed out that that Navy tradition calls for the naming of San Antonio class ships after famous war battles and not former Congressmen.

“Even the media is questioning Secretary Mabus’s decision to name a new ship after Mr. Murtha,” Russell said. “The Washington Times called it (Mr. Murtha’s) ‘highest undeserved honor,’ and as a veteran I find this particularly offensive. In fact, I stood up against Mr. Murtha’s comments back in 2008 when it was a matter of conviction and not just political expediency. I was even threatened for my position of defending those brave Marines.”

Russell has called on veteran’s groups around the country to express their displeasure with the Navy Secretary’s decision.
More information is available at www.russellbrigade.com

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