[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 29, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1095-E1096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING PA-1'S HOMETOWN HERO: ELIZABETH TODDERUD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 29, 2024

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an 
extraordinary individual from Pennsylvania's First Congressional 
District--someone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in 
service to both our community and our country. It is with great respect 
and admiration that I recognize Elizabeth Todderud, one of our 
district's distinguished Hometown Heroes.
  Hometown Heroes are not defined by titles or accolades but by the 
quiet power of their actions. They are distinguished by their 
unwavering integrity, the strength of their character, and their 
steadfast commitment to the

[[Page E1096]]

people and places they serve. They are the foundation upon which our 
communities stand--the ones who lift others up, inspire hope, and, in 
doing so, call us all to higher standards of service and compassion. 
Elizabeth has embodied this spirit in ways that words can scarcely 
capture.
  Over the past two decades, Elizabeth has poured her heart and soul 
into handcrafting over 300 blankets for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief 
Society Budget for Baby Program and Camp Lejeune. Rita Fountain, the 
Relief Society Director, emphasized the profound impact of Elizabeth's 
contributions to the Navy and marine Corps families at Camp Lejeune 
preparing to welcome new babies, often many miles away from their loved 
ones. Elizabeth's blankets provide these families warmth, comfort, and 
a sense of community while serving as a token of appreciation for their 
service and sacrifice. This year, Elizabeth was recognized with the 
prestigious 10,000-hour pin and a custom-etched glass wedge by the 
Marine Corps League Patriot Detachment 1230 on behalf of the Navy-
Marine Corps Relief Society. Elizabeth's compassion and generosity are 
a shining example of how one person can make a profound difference in 
the lives of others. Through her blankets, she has woven a tapestry of 
hope, solace, and belonging for our military families far from home.
  Mr. Speaker, it is through the work of people like Elizbeth that our 
communities thrive, and our Nation grows stronger. Her actions remind 
us that progress is not forged in grand gestures, but in the cumulative 
power of selfless acts. She embodies the timeless American values of 
resilience, generosity, and compassion, showing us that the future is 
built by those who care deeply, act decisively, and give without 
hesitation.
  On behalf of Pennsylvania's First Congressional District, I extend my 
deepest gratitude to Elizabeth Todderud for her extraordinary service. 
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this exceptional individual, 
whose leadership and spirit of service will inspire generations to 
come. May her example remind us of the boundless potential within each 
of us to make our communities, country, and world a better place.