[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING CHARLES JACK PODHAIZER'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

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                       HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 2026

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th 
birthday of Charles Jack Podhaizer, a remarkable constituent. Charlie 
was born on March 23, 1926, and has lived a life marked by service, 
family, and generosity.
  Charlie spent the early years of his life growing up in the Lower 
East Side of Manhattan as the youngest of 5 children. He spent his 
early years experiencing the melting pot of cultures from the 
immigrants arriving through Ellis Island and helped contribute to his 
family's wellbeing by selling items on the street whilst still finding 
time to enjoy basketball with his friends.
  When the time came, Charlie answered our Nation's call and served 
valiantly in the Second World War. He was a member of D Company, 232 
Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Infantry ``Rainbow'' Division and fought 
during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest. When he returned 
home, he married his high school sweetheart, Florence Weiss. Together, 
they moved to Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn and had three children--Gary, 
Steven, and Todd. Florence unfortunately passed away in 1963, and in 
1965, he was remarried to Betty Sheridan who expanded his family with 
two daughters--Raelyne and Sharon.
  In 1965, Charlie and his family became a part of our Bucks County 
community when they settled down in Yardley, Pennsylvania after years 
of Charlie commuting from Brooklyn to Eastern Pennsylvania each day for 
work. It was in Bucks County where Charlie started the Big C, a 
thriving department store in the Fairless Hills Shopping Center. 
Shortly thereafter, Charlie was able to expand his operations to two 
stores across the river in Trenton and Camden, New Jersey.
  With his business success, Charlie was able to become very active 
with local charities as well as his local police department, making 
sure to help provide for those less fortunate than him and support the 
community. Charlie is honored to have been named Bucks County Man of 
the Year among other honors and accolades received for his commitment 
to the community.
  It was later in his career when Charlie decided to step away from the 
Big C and start auctioneering, which allowed him to fully dedicate 
himself to this passion and connect with people at the various auctions 
he attended. He also started a wholesale business, where he traveled 
the United States to visit his customers. For every connection he made 
and place he visited, he was always noted for his integrity, passion, 
caring, honesty, and humor.
  As he reaches the age of 100 years old, Charlie is blessed to have 10 
grandchildren--Jamie, Adam, David, Derek, and Falynn along with their 
spouses--as well as 9 great grandchildren--Sofie, Zoe, Kira, Jack, 
Cameron, Ellie, Brenna, Olivia, and Drew. Following the passing of his 
wife Betty, he found love once more in his life with Irene Hastings. He 
has cherished every moment spent with her and the rest of his family 
since he retired at the age of 75.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues in the United States House 
of Representatives to join me in extending our heartfelt 
congratulations, sincere well-wishes, and God's blessings to Charles 
Jack Podhaizer on the celebration of his 100th birthday.

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