RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF SANDY OPPENHEIMER

RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF SANDY OPPENHEIMER

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 35 (Friday, February 21, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E144] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF SANDY OPPENHEIMER ______ HON. BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Friday, February 21, 2025 Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional constituent from my district, Mr. Sandy Oppenheimer. As a United States Navy World War II Veteran, a newspaper editor, a volunteer, and a marathon runner, Sandy has found ways to serve his country and his community. He continues to inspire all generations. Eighty-two years ago, Sandy served bravely aboard the heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) during some of the most famous battles in history like the Doolittle Raid, Battle of the Coral Seas, and the Battle of Midway. He was there when the flag was raised at Iwo Jima. Today, he is one of only three remaining survivors of one of the Navy's most storied ships. Sandy was born September 1, 1925, in New York City. This year (2025), he will turn 100. His father was a World War I Veteran, who died when Sandy was just 11, and left four young boys--at the height of the Depression--alone with their young mother. She went to work, and the older boys watched the younger boys. All four boys went on to serve in our Armed Forces, in the Navy, the Army, the Air Force, and the Marines. After WWII, Sandy attended New York University on the G.I. Bill, graduated with a degree in accounting, but went into journalism. He began a long career in journalism as the United Press International bureau chief in Guam. After a few more stops, he moved with his wife Mary and two young children, in 1954, to Levittown, and spent more than 50 years with the Bucks County Courier Times. He served as its editor for many of those years, writing the reader-favorite front page column, ``Good Evening'', which he signed with only his initials. Sandy still remembers the day President Kennedy was assassinated, and sending people to find and stop the trucks that were just heading out with that day's edition, and pulling his team together to put out a new edition with the terrible news. He also feels great pride when contacted by best-selling authors like Erik Larson, and Hall of Fame reporter Claire Smith, thanking him for giving them their first job. He was an active volunteer and board member in many community organizations. Sandy was one of the earliest presidents of the Bucks County Free Library, and helped start it on its path to what it is today. Sandy and Mary, who passed away five years ago, were charter members of the Bucks County Road Runners, and ran marathons throughout the country. Recently, Sandy was honored as the first recipient of the Newtown Library Company's Honorary Runner award at their annual 5K. He was surrounded by members of the news media who remembered working for him and members of the running community, happy to see him again. Sandy still reads three newspapers every day from cover to cover. He appreciates the work of reporters getting a good story out to the readers and knows the importance of informing the community of the important issues we face every day. We thank him for his service to our country and our community. ____________________