CELEBRATING CHARLES JACK PODHAIZER'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

CELEBRATING CHARLES JACK PODHAIZER'S 100TH BIRTHDAY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 24, 2026) [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 ______ 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. ____________________