House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Chairman Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) has agreed to stand in for his predecessor, the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), at Murtha’s annual event for defense contractors.

The Showcase for Commerce was considered a hub of sorts for companies in and around Johnstown in central Pennsylvania seeking earmarks from the federal government. It brought defense contractors large and small together to discuss doing business with the federal government and with each other.

Dicks will be the keynote speaker at the John P. Murtha Breakfast on June 4. The breakfast is sponsored by General Dynamics.

Dicks’ decision to take over a leading role in the event undoubtedly is a relief to business leaders in the area who worried that Murtha’s passing would be a huge economic blow to the area.