The following article appeared in the Herald Standard on July 21, 2008. By Amy Zalan, Herald Standard Staff Writer.
Nancy Sutton received an unexpected 93rd birthday present recently when a package arrived at her Uniontown home without postage.
Sutton, who celebrated her birthday on June 29, received a package with only the signature of U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown. Inside was a letter from Murtha congratulating Sutton on her numerous community efforts in Fayette County and a copy of remarks Murtha made to Congress on June 26. Sutton said when she saw the large envelope, she mentioned to the mailman that it didn't have any postage and he told her it didn't need to because it was from the U.S. House of Representatives.
The letter, dated June 30, congratulates Sutton on her birthday and her accomplishments throughout the years.
"Fayette County is very fortunate for all of your service," concludes Murtha's letter.
"I thought that was great. I sent him a thank-you note," Sutton said.
Sutton said she was surprised to get the package, adding that she doesn't know where Murtha got the information that was included in his remarks to Congress.
Sutton is serving her second five-year term on the Fayette County Housing Authority, where she is secretary. She is the tenant representative on the board and lives at Marshall Manor in Uniontown. She said she has met Murtha before while taking trips to Washington, D.C., to learn about U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rules and programs as a part of her role on the housing authority.
Sutton said she is very fortunate to currently be in good health for her age, adding that the only issue she has to deal with is blood work.
The remarks, which Murtha made during the second session of the 110th Congress, are titled, "Tribute to Mrs. Nancy Sutton," and include background about Sutton's decades of volunteer efforts.
Murtha told Congress that Sutton worked hard during her career, which included working in retail in Uniontown.
"Following her retirement, she began to volunteer at her local Social Security office during the 1980s and 1990s for a period of over 10 years. She still actively volunteers for the American Cancer Society, where she has volunteered for many years. In addition, Mrs. Sutton has been an active member of the Marshall Manor Resident Council since she became a resident in February 1973. She has served as president of the council and has coordinated and cooked monthly dinners for the manor's residents," Murtha said.
He commended Sutton for helping her fellow residents by driving them to medical appointments, picking up prescriptions and helping with grocery shopping.
"Madame Speaker, Mrs. Nancy Sutton is truly a great and caring American. I wish to end my remarks by congratulating her on her 93rd birthday and for all of her community accomplishments," he said.