[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2010 PRINCE WILLIAM AMERICAN RED CROSS 
                                 AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the recipients of the 2010 Prince William American Red Cross Awards. 
These individuals and their work with the Red Cross stand as an example 
of dedication and service for the benefit and safety of the community.
  The Elizabeth Smith Davies award is presented to a volunteer in 
recognition of 25 years of service. This year's recipient, Ruth 
Stroaker, began volunteering for the Red Cross in the 1980s while her 
husband was serving in the military in the Pacific. She has done 
everything from data entry, typing, filing, volunteering in the base 
medical and dental clinic, to leading volunteer orientation classes, 
and handling disaster services case work. In 1989 she became a military 
and international services case worker. During her tenure, she has 
reconnected families separated by war and other calamities, helped 
arrange compassionate leave for the military, and provided special 
support to those who have suffered devastating disasters and other 
emergencies. Ruth is a beloved member of the Prince William team, 
always handling her casework with compassion and kindness. Her clients 
become her family, and she is tenacious in helping them get the help 
they need.
  Tony Boone is the recipient of the 2010 Dr. Gail Kettlewell Award. 
Tony is a long-standing member of the Prince William Red Cross Board of 
Directors and is always willing to do whatever needs to be done to 
support the chapter. He has been the chair of the Finance Committee for 
the past three years. During his time on the Building Committee, he 
donated many hours of his time to negotiating and developing a letter 
of agreement for land donated by Lockheed Martin. This included helping 
the chapter sort through many pages of county regulations and 
eventually applying for various city permits. He is the chapter's 
goodwill ambassador and you can always find him at various events 
telling his Red Cross story.
  Chuck Mudd has volunteered with the Prince William Chapter for a 
little more than a year, but he has quickly become a treasured member 
of the team. In the last 12 months, Chuck has been involved with 
numerous local fire responses, worked daily on the renovation of the 
new chapter facility, cleaned out the attic and garage of the old 
chapter house, attended a winter field day exercise to learn tent 
operations and managed a shelter during one of the big snowstorms. He 
also uses his expertise and leadership skills in representing the 
chapter on the disaster services committee and various regional working 
groups. In addition, Chuck is a major financial donor to the chapter. 
His attitude, great personality, and willingness to work in rain, 
sleet, and lots of snow, make him invaluable to the chapter.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the staff 
and volunteers of the Prince William American Red Cross. When a 
community is hit by disaster, the Red Cross is often the first on the 
scene to provide comfort and assistance. The efforts of individual 
members are responsible for the organization's outstanding reputation, 
and I am honored to recognize Ruth Stroaker, Tony Boone, and Chuck Mudd 
for contributing to this tradition of excellence.

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