[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 52 (Friday, March 21, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





RECOGNIZING DIANE REITZ: A LIGHT OF SERVICE, A HEART OF STRENGTH, AND A 
                            LEGACY OF HONOR

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 21, 2025

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an 
extraordinary woman, a true pillar of our community, whose life has 
been defined by service, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to 
others--Diane Reitz.
  Even as she wages a courageous battle against stage IV pancreatic 
cancer, Diane continues to give of herself--to her family, her 
neighbors, her country, and, above all, to the veterans of Bucks County 
and Southeast Pennsylvania. She is not simply enduring--she is 
inspiring.
  Diane was born in Philadelphia but found her true home in Levittown, 
where she has lived for 64 years on the very same street--Rocky Pool 
Lane. It was there that she grew up, raised a family, and built a life 
of meaning and service. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School 
and went on to become a registered nurse, earning degrees from 
Philadelphia University and Gwynedd Mercy University. But while her 
education equipped her with knowledge, it was her heart that made her a 
healer.
  For 56 years, Diane has been the devoted wife of Ronald ``Ron'' 
Reitz, an Army veteran and longtime barber. Together, they raised two 
children, Cheryl and Joan, who, in turn, blessed them with five 
grandchildren: Emma, Anne, Raegan, Kassidy, and Quinn. But Diane's 
sense of duty has never stopped at her own front door.
  Service is not just something Diane does--it is the essence of who 
she is. A pillar of our community, she has led Girl Scout troops, 
inspired others as a Zumba instructor, and spearheaded efforts that 
have uplifted countless lives. She raised over $50,000 for the American 
Heart Association's ``Go Red for Women'' campaign, ensuring critical 
support for those in need. She has honored our nation's heroes by 
organizing reunions for the 75th Ranger Regiment and playing a key role 
in the 50th Anniversary commemoration of the end of the Vietnam war, 
ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten.
  But Diane's impact is more than the sum of her efforts--it is felt in 
the lives she touches. She offers belonging to the overlooked, purpose 
to the uncertain, and hope to those in need. She steps forward when 
others step back, embodying the very spirit of service and reminding us 
all what it truly means to give of oneself.
  Yet, it is her work with our veterans that stands as the most 
profound expression of her dedication. Recognizing the crisis of 
veteran suicide, Diane took action. She joined forces with Vietnam war 
hero Captain David A. Christian to establish Victor Six Health and 
Fitness, an innovative program designed to combat the mental and 
emotional struggles afflicting so many of our returning servicemembers.
  Drawing upon groundbreaking research from institutions such as Johns 
Hopkins, the Cleveland Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital, Diane 
developed a 12-week program focused on the critical link between 
physical fitness and cognitive health. The impact has been 
extraordinary: veterans struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Injury 
(PTSI) have not only regained their strength but have rebuilt their 
lives--finding employment, reconnecting with their families, and 
reclaiming their sense of purpose. And perhaps most notably, since its 
inception, not a single veteran who has completed the Victor Six 
program has taken their own life. Veterans travel hours each way to 
participate in Diane's program, not simply because of the results, but 
because they know that behind it stands a woman who believes in them, 
fights for them, and refuses to give up on them.
  Her work has been recognized with commendations from the United 
States Army and the United States Marine Corps, but her greatest honor 
is reflected in the lives she has transformed. I have seen firsthand 
the strength and camaraderie her program fosters--veterans standing 
shoulder to shoulder, forging a path forward with renewed hope and 
dignity.
  Mr. Speaker, Diane Reitz embodies the highest ideals of duty, honor, 
and country. Her story is a powerful reminder that one person, armed 
with conviction and compassion, can change the world.

                          ____________________