[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIVES OF ANTHONY AND ROBERT DUDCHIK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2022

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the heartbreaking 
loss of two young beams of light from Eastern Connecticut, Anthony and 
Robert Dudchik. The two brothers lost their lives in a horrific car 
accident on April 28, 2022, along with another young friend. Their 
passing has been devastating to their families, communities and has 
without exaggeration, been felt across the entire state.
  Born in 2000 and 2002 in the neighboring town of Middletown, Anthony 
and Robert were adopted and raised by Tom and Nora Fitzgerald Dudchik 
of East Haddam, Connecticut. These two were inseparable since birth and 
grew up and thrived in Tom and Nora's loving, nurturing home.
  Their stories intertwined, both Anthony and Robert brought a caring 
and attentive nature to every task or goal before them, qualities which 
I am sure they absorbed from Tom and Nora's upbringing. As graduates of 
Nathan Hale-Ray High School, they were both star athletes and had 
previously worked at East Haddam's Shagbark Lumber and Farm Supplies 
store, a local landmark, where they became friendly, familiar faces to 
the local community. Upon graduating, Robert had most recently moved to 
East Haven where he had taken off a career in aviation as a flight 
attendant for Tweed-New Haven's Avelo Airlines, where he was also among 
the inaugural graduating class. He dreamed of moving to Japan to teach 
English. Anthony, who had also moved to New Haven for school, was a 
rising Sophomore Journalism Major at Southern Connecticut State 
University. He had a strong passion for photography.
  The losses of Robert and Anthony are indescribably difficult because 
the trajectory of their lives was so crystal clear, and yet also so 
incomplete. Even at such young ages, their combined story has touched 
countless individuals throughout all of Connecticut. They brought such 
incredible joy, inspiration and pride to Tom and Nora as well as their 
surviving friends and family. Tom and Nora in the past few weeks have 
shown great strength and grace and have publicly urged all who will 
listen to learn more about and support adoption and the children who 
need loving homes.
  Madam Speaker, in moments like these where it is hard to find solace, 
we can only learn to cherish their memories which will not soon leave 
this earth, but instead appreciate with time. In keeping their memories 
alive, we will also pay respect to the strength that foster families 
bring to our communities, which the Dudchiks have exemplified so well. 
To these ends, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring their 
memory, and ensuring that the brightness which emanated from their 
lives will never leave us.

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