Recognizing Joseph A. Fluehr, III

Floor Speech

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Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional constituent from my district, Joseph A. Fluehr, III, of Richboro who has been a dedicated citizen and caregiver to his community. Joe and his wife, Christine, opened the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home in Richboro, Pennsylvania in 1976, expanded to New Britain, Pennsylvania in 1997, and built Laurel Cremation Services in 2010. For almost 50 years, Joe has lovingly attended to families grieving the loss of a loved one.

Joe, the oldest of 8 children, was raised in the Oak Lane section of Philadelphia and eventually moved to Richboro when the construction of his funeral home was completed. He graduated from the College of West Virginia and continued to the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he received his Degree in Applied Sciences.

Joe's commitment to community service is exemplified through his extensive involvement in local organizations. St. Mary Medical Center called on Mr. Fluehr to sit on their Board of Trustees, which he did for over a decade and served as Chairman of the Board for an impressive nine years. Under his leadership, the once small, neighborhood hospital saw huge growth in the numbers of patients it served and medical professionals it employed. They exponentially expanded the footprint of the building, and it is now a Level II Trauma Center. Rotating off the Board of Trustees, Joe served as a member of the St. Mary's Medical Center Entities Board and continues to serve on the St. Mary's Medical Center Hospital Authority today.

In addition to working with the hospital board, Joe served on the board of Prime Bank, a locally owned bank, for 13 years, where he also held the position of Corporate Secretary.

As another testament to his dedication to the community of Richboro and Northampton Township, Joe was a volunteer with the Northampton Township Volunteer Fire Department and served on the Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad Advisory Board. He has been a member of Council Rock Kiwanis Invitational, where he participated in many service projects dedicated to making the lives of children better. He supported the Northampton Township Historical Society and has been a long-standing member of the Northampton Township Business and Professional Association. In 2015, honoring this integral member of the community, they bestowed upon Joe their ``Businessman of the Year Award''.

Professionally, Joe has held significant roles within the funeral service industry, serving on the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors and chairing the board for two years. He is affiliated with prestigious organizations such as the Cremation Association of North America and the National Funeral Directors Association.

As a devout parishioner of St. Bede, the Venerable Church and a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus, Joe embodies the values of faith, service, and community.

Furthermore, Joe has dedicated his life to serving and honoring the veterans of our community. He played a pivotal role in supporting the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, advocating for its opening, and facilitating logistical and professional support for unclaimed veterans' services. Joe's contributions extend to providing urns and nameplates to the Bucks County Morgue for unclaimed veterans and donating to various veterans' monuments at Washington Crossing.

Joe lives in Newtown with Christine, his wife of 55 years. They have three children and 6 dear grandchildren. In his free time, Joe enjoys a good glass of merlot, eating dinner with friends, and spending time with his family. He is proud of the family he raised with his wife, the relationships he fostered throughout his life, and the businesses he built that serve the community.

I am eternally grateful to Joe Fluehr, III for the life of committed service he has given to our community, district, and country. Indeed, his care and concern for his fellow neighbors, his support for local organizations, and his commitment to our service men and women are but a few impressive attributes of a truly great man. I am happy to honor him today.

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