Recognizing Laura ``babe'' E. Raudenbush Sidman 102nd Birthday

Floor Speech

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Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Laura ``Babe'' E. Raudenbush Sidman, a remarkable constituent from my district about to celebrate her 102nd birthday. Laura was born on January 29, 1922, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

When she had completed schooling, Laura found a job working at the Quartermaster Depot in South Philadelphia. She took the Frankford EL Line to work every day. It was on one of those daily trips that she met Joe Sidman, the man who was to become her husband. Laura and Joe were married in October 1942.

As Joe was in the Army, they spent the first few months of married life in Florida. Once Joe was out of the service, they settled in an apartment in Mayfair for a few years. Joe and Laura then moved in with Martha and Harry Raudenbush who lived in Somerton for a short period of time while looking for a home. In 1950, Babe and Joe moved to their home on Elmwood Avenue in Trevose.

Babe and Joe raised 3 wonderful children, Lorraine, Barbara, and Jay while in their Trevose home. Once the kids were in school, Laura went back to work part time at Mortimer's Clothing store. Eventually she settled into a job at the Trevose Hardware Store joining her good friend, George Wehlau. Laura would continue in this position for over 20 years, becoming a staple of the community. She enjoyed baking cookies for her loyal customers who came back time and again for her caring nature and incredible baked goods.

Laura's love of sports has been a lifelong interest, She is an avid sports fan, especially of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. Win or lose Laura can be seen in front of the TV rooting for her favorite teams. When the Phillies won the pennant in 1950 Laura sat in front of her TV trying to take pictures of the action. Although those pictures didn't develop well, Laura did manage to get a picture roster of the 1950's winning Phillies. It hung in her home for many years.

In the community, Laura supported the Neshaminy ``N'' club with all kinds of baked cakes whenever asked and her son wrestled and played football for Neshaminy. She has been a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Langhorne for over six decades. During this time, Babe sang in the choir and was an esteemed member of the Altar Guild. In the course of her service on the Alter Guild, Laura trained generations of congregational members in the proper altar set up and the care, handling, and cleaning of the communion vessels. After Laura's retirement from the Altar Guild, she was presented with a Lifetime Achievement certificate.

Laura could not be prouder of her growing family. She has 3 doting children, 3 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren in addition to numerous nieces and nephews and their children. I am very grateful for her incredible life of service to her family, community, and country. As Laura ``Babe'' Sidman celebrates the first century of her life and 102nd birthday, I wish her nothing but the best in the coming years and a heartfelt Happy Birthday.

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