All aboard the nearly 700-foot-long, 25,000 ton ship, formally known as USS Murtha.

 

It’s named after John Patrick Murtha, who served in Congress as a Representative from Pennsylvania from 1974-2010.

 

He is the longest-serving member to ever serve from our state.

 

It will be commissioned in Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct. 8th. 

 

Ed Sheehan, CEO of Concurrent Technologies Corporation, said his contributions helped make the Keystone State thrive.

 

He represented the 12th District, but Sheehan said he helped bring what are now multi-national companies to Johnstown.

 

“He thought the quality and the work ethic of the people here was outstanding and the companies that would come here would benefit from that,” Sheehan said.

 

Next year Concurrent Technologies Corporation will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and Sheehan said it’s all thanks to Murtha.

 

Most of the companies Murtha brought to the area are in the defense industry, so it’s fitting that the newest warship is named in his honor.

 

“Well it’s a great recognition on the part of our Defense Department and the Navy for the contributions that he made for so many years,” Sheehan said.

 

Sheehan said he plans to attend the commissioning and hopes it will help keep Murtha’s legacy strong.