[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING RUTH MARIE GRANT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 18, 2022

  Mr. SWALWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman 
Mike Doyle, to recognize the life of Ruth Marie Grant who passed away 
on Saturday, May 14, 2022, after a wonderful and trailblazing 90 years 
of life.
  Ruth Marie O'Block was born on September 2, 1931, in Plum, 
Pennsylvania and spent her life growing and investing in her community 
through business and public service. This began after her graduation 
from Seton Hill University and marriage to Louis A. Grant. True to 
Pittsburgh style, together they began Louis A. Grant, Inc., a multi-
million-dollar international competitor in the steel and aluminum 
industry. Ruth led the company for 54 years, spearheading women's 
leadership in an overwhelmingly male-dominated industry.
  She also made significant headway in the financial industry, serving 
as the first female Board Member of People's Bank of Unity and remained 
active on the Board of S&T Bank following the two institutions' merger.
  At her core, Ruth was a champion for public service, and inspiration 
for tomorrow's leaders. She was constantly seeking ways to improve 
access to education and serve her community. Her titles were numerous 
and spanned all levels of government. At the national level, Ruth 
served on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Committee on International 
Trade. In Pennsylvania, she served on the Governor's Education 
Committee where she contributed to the formulation of public policy, 
key personnel selections and decisions to reduce costs while enhancing 
the Commonwealth's education services. And in Plum specifically, she 
held numerous roles including with the Plum Water Authority, Plum 
Planning and Zoning commission and the Plum Library Board.
  Ruth also left an indelible mark at Seton Hill University, where she 
served as a trustee for a total of 22 years and was the immediate past 
chair of the Board of Trustees.
  We believe Ruth would agree, that despite a lifetime of service, her 
most important titles were mother and ``Granna.'' Ruth is pre-deceased 
by her husband Louis, but survived by her four children: Toni Grant 
Verstandig (Lee), Cindy Grant Pallatino, Ruth Ann Grant Wargofchik and 
Louis A. Grant, Jr., and seven grandchildren: John R. Wargofchik III, 
Andrew Wargofchik, Brady Wargofchik, Grant Verstandig, Brittany Grant, 
Louis Grant and Gaetano Grant.
  May her legacy serve as an inspiration to new generations of public 
servants and entrepreneurs; and her memory serve as a blessing to her 
family.

                          ____________________