[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 14 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E79-E80]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING LAURA ``BABE'' E. RAUDENBUSH SIDMAN 102ND BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 25, 2024

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Laura 
``Babe'' E. Raudenbush Sidman, a remarkable constituent from my 
district about to celebrate her 102nd birthday.

[[Page E80]]

Laura was born on January 29, 1922, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  When she had completed schooling, Laura found a job working at the 
Quartermaster Depot in South Philadelphia. She took the Frankford EL 
Line to work every day. It was on one of those daily trips that she met 
Joe Sidman, the man who was to become her husband. Laura and Joe were 
married in October 1942.
  As Joe was in the Army, they spent the first few months of married 
life in Florida. Once Joe was out of the service, they settled in an 
apartment in Mayfair for a few years. Joe and Laura then moved in with 
Martha and Harry Raudenbush who lived in Somerton for a short period of 
time while looking for a home. In 1950, Babe and Joe moved to their 
home on Elmwood Avenue in Trevose.
  Babe and Joe raised 3 wonderful children, Lorraine, Barbara, and Jay 
while in their Trevose home. Once the kids were in school, Laura went 
back to work part time at Mortimer's Clothing store. Eventually she 
settled into a job at the Trevose Hardware Store joining her good 
friend, George Wehlau. Laura would continue in this position for over 
20 years, becoming a staple of the community. She enjoyed baking 
cookies for her loyal customers who came back time and again for her 
caring nature and incredible baked goods.
  Laura's love of sports has been a lifelong interest, She is an avid 
sports fan, especially of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. Win or 
lose Laura can be seen in front of the TV rooting for her favorite 
teams. When the Phillies won the pennant in 1950 Laura sat in front of 
her TV trying to take pictures of the action. Although those pictures 
didn't develop well, Laura did manage to get a picture roster of the 
1950's winning Phillies. It hung in her home for many years.
  In the community, Laura supported the Neshaminy ``N'' club with all 
kinds of baked cakes whenever asked and her son wrestled and played 
football for Neshaminy. She has been a member of St. James Episcopal 
Church in Langhorne for over six decades. During this time, Babe sang 
in the choir and was an esteemed member of the Altar Guild. In the 
course of her service on the Alter Guild, Laura trained generations of 
congregational members in the proper altar set up and the care, 
handling, and cleaning of the communion vessels. After Laura's 
retirement from the Altar Guild, she was presented with a Lifetime 
Achievement certificate.
  Laura could not be prouder of her growing family. She has 3 doting 
children, 3 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren in addition to 
numerous nieces and nephews and their children. I am very grateful for 
her incredible life of service to her family, community, and country. 
As Laura ``Babe'' Sidman celebrates the first century of her life and 
102nd birthday, I wish her nothing but the best in the coming years and 
a heartfelt Happy Birthday.

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