[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 10, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H5311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING YARDLEY BOROUGH CHIEF OF POLICE JOSEPH KELLY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated 
public servant from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Yardley Borough Chief 
of Police Joseph Kelly.
  Chief Kelly was presented with the Excellent Police Service Award, a 
well-deserved distinction for a man who has dedicated his life to 
public service.
  Before he served in Yardley, Chief Kelly was a 23-year veteran of the 
New Jersey Transit Police Department, serving as deputy chief and chief 
of operations. Before his service there, he was an EMT dispatcher for 
the Maplewood, New Jersey, Police Department.
  Upon becoming Yardley Borough police chief, the area saw a 20 percent 
drop in traffic accidents compared to the year before, as well as a 
more successful enforcement of transit laws.
  In addition, Chief Kelly has moved to make the department more 
approachable, especially for victims of domestic violence, pushing for 
a closer relationship with A Woman's Place and other organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Chief Joseph Kelly for his continued service, 
and I would also like to thank all the members of the Yardley Borough 
Police Department for their tireless work in protecting our community.


  Honoring Theodore Hauptman, Feasterville Business Association 2019 
                           Person of the Year

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
distinguished achievements of the Feasterville Business Association 
2019 Person of the Year, Theodore Hauptman.
  Mr. Hauptman serves both in his immediate community in Holland, 
Pennsylvania, as well as the greater community of Bucks County.
  He has logged 25 active years with the Feasterville Business 
Association, serving as its president, corresponding secretary, and as 
a member of its executive board. He currently serves as legal counsel 
for the organization.
  Mr. Speaker, the mission statement of the Feasterville Business 
Association is to foster and encourage growth, progress, and the 
betterment of the community.
  Mr. Hauptman has shown his belief in and dedication to this mission 
as he serves his community with distinction in his practice of law; his 
position on the Northampton Township Zoning Hearing Board; and his 
positions as director, counsel, and president of the Northampton 
Community and Economic Development group.
  Mr. Hauptman is a black belt in taekwondo and serves as a certified 
coach and referee for the World Taekwondo Federation.
  He and his wife are also the proud parents of three children: 
Jonathan, Adam, and Allyson, the latter of whom is currently serving 
our country on Active Duty as a captain in the United States Army.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again thank Mr. Hauptman for his 
service to Bucks County and our constituents, and we congratulate him 
on his achievement.


                    Remembering Kristen Marie Ridge

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise 
today to recognize the remarkable life of 26-year-old Kristen Marie 
Ridge, who, on July 5, was taken from us too soon.
  Kristen was a veterinary technician at the Animals' Hospital of 
Levittown. She deeply cared about the safety and well-being of all 
animals.
  Her thoughtfulness continues after her death with her urging friends 
and family to donate towards animal welfare in lieu of flowers.
  Mr. Speaker, Kristen's selflessness is precisely why we recognize her 
today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
  She is an example of someone with a compassionate heart having a 
desire to help people and animals in our community.
  We send our love to her parents, Susan and Robert Ridge; her sister, 
Katherine Ridge Mayer; and her grandparents, Rob and Lil Boyson.
  May they find peace knowing that Kristen left an indelible mark on 
our community and she is now enjoying her eternal reward for a life she 
spent caring for all of God's creatures.

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