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Home , Gloria Negrete McLeod, Grace Napolitano, Jim Costa, Lois Capps, Mike Garcia (politician)

July 9, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1129

ALAN LOWENTHAL, Congresswoman DORIS also worked as a news anchor at CNN–2, food, cooking in the kitchen or finishing home- MATSUI, Congressman JERRY MCNERNEY, which later became CNN Headline News. Be- work at the tables. Congressman GEORGE MILLER, Congress- fore arriving in Fresno, Bud worked as the Lebanese Taverna today, 35 years later, is woman , Congresswoman main news anchor at the ABC affiliate in Rich- a multi-concept collaboration with six res- GLORIA NEGRETE MCLEOD, Congresswoman mond, Virginia. taurants, four quick service cafes, a market, , Congressman SCOTT PETERS, In 1987, Bud began his career at KSEE24. and full service catering division. Tanios and Congresswoman LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, Since then, he has worked tirelessly to estab- Marie are easing into retirement (although still Congressman , Congresswoman lish a solid reputation in the community for de- involved in quality control) while the five sib- INDA A´NCHEZ ORETTA livering accurate news. While at KSEE24, Bud L S , Congresswoman L lings, each with their own specialty, operate ANCHEZ DAM CHIFF has worked as the evening news anchor, S , Congressman A S , Con- the business. Today the Abi-Najm children still gressman , Congresswoman morning newscast anchor, and morning show greet old friends and welcome new ones into , Congressman , co-anchor. He has worked from both behind the restaurants where they grew up and Congressman , Congressman the desk and out in the field to deliver news shared their lives, in keeping with their motto, MIKE THOMPSON, Congressman , that is relevant and important to residents in ‘‘good food enjoyed in good company.’’ Leba- Congresswoman , and Con- the Valley. nese Taverna has come to symbolize the real- gressman to honor our dear The commitment Bud has made to his ca- ization of dreams and the rewards of dedica- friend who is retiring after more reer and the Central Valley has not gone un- tion. than 30 years of service to working families in noticed. Throughout his time in the San Joa- . quin Valley, Bud has earned a number of Mr. Speaker, once again, let me congratu- Mike served as the President of Service awards for excellence in journalism, including late Mr. and Mrs. Abi-Najm on their 35 years Employees International Union United Service an Emmy and several Associated Press and of success. This family embodies the very Workers West (SEIU USSW) between 1988 Radio-Television News Directors Association best ideals of the American dream; hard work and 2014, where he led 40,000 janitors, secu- awards. Most recently, Bud was recognized by and a strong commitment to family and com- rity officers and airport workers across Cali- the Fresno County Farm Bureau for his work munity. Congratulations on 35 years of suc- fornia in the fight for good jobs. Mike has been on a four-part series focused on the water cess! involved in the labor movement since 1980, challenges that farmers face in California’s when he began his career organizing janitors . f first in San Jose and later in in the Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me ‘‘Justice for Janitors’’ campaign. in recognizing the outstanding contributions IN MEMORY OF PAT TORO In 2010 he oversaw the merger of several Mr. Bud Elliott has made to the San Joaquin local unions into SEIU USWW, a statewide Valley. The lasting contributions he has made union of property service workers. Mike guided to our community as a news anchor deserve HON. SEIU USWW through years of dramatic to be commended. OF NEW YORK growth, taking a union of 1,800 janitors and f building a powerful statewide local on the fore- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES front of fighting for immigrants’ rights and lift- PERSONAL EXPLANATION Wednesday, July 9, 2014 ing working families out of poverty. Mike had a deep understanding of policy HON. Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in and the questions that matter most to working OF CALIFORNIA memory of my constituent, Pat Toro, deco- class Californians. He was also extremely IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES rated Vietnam veteran, longtime former presi- brave; willing to face the strongest adversaries Wednesday, July 9, 2014 dent of the Queens chapter of the Vietnam when fighting for those who needed his help. Veterans of America, and retired law-enforce- According to Mike, his greatest accomplish- Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I was not able to ment officer. Pat passed away on Thursday, ment was winning the historic janitors’ strike of be present for the following rollcall vote on July 3, at the age of sixty-four, after a long 2000 in , an action he proudly July 8, 2014, and would like the RECORD to re- battle with leukemia. notes ‘‘changed the lives of thousands of jani- flect that I would have voted as follows: rollcall tors and their families because USWW mem- No. 369: ‘‘yes;’’ rollcall No. 370: ‘‘yes.’’ Pat served his country as a Marine during the Vietnam War. Upon his return to the bers—the real heroes of the strike—laid it all f on the line for a chance to win and bring their he continued to serve his com- CONGRATULATING LEBANESE families into the American middle class.’’ munity as a criminal investigator for the Port TAVERNA ON THEIR 35TH ANNI- In retirement Mike will remain a powerful Authority of New York and . In ad- VERSARY voice for vulnerable populations and a strong dition to being the President of the Queens advocate for comprehensive immigration re- chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, form to help millions of aspiring citizens HON. JAMES P. MORAN Pat held the positions of Southern District achieve better lives. OF VIRGINIA Leader and National Director at Large. Mr. Speaker, we ask the entire House of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES During his tenure with the Vietnam Veterans Representatives to join us in honoring Mike Wednesday, July 9, 2014 of America, Pat was profoundly dedicated to Garcia for his service to our Country. improving the quality of life and preserving the Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to f history of his fellow veterans. He started a congratulate Lebanese Taverna on their 35th program to provide dignified burials for indi- RECOGNIZING BUD ELLIOTT Anniversary. Tanios and Marie Abi-Najm immi- gent veterans, which gave ninety people the grated to the United States in 1976, along with proper respect they had earned. One of Pat’s HON. their five young children: Dory, Dany, David, goals was to construct a memorial that would OF CALIFORNIA Gladys and Grace. honor the more than 400 fallen Vietnam vet- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The family boarded a cargo ship, in the erans from Queens. Although this project re- dead of the night, to escape the Civil War in Wednesday, July 9, 2014 mains on hold, completing it would be a fitting Lebanon, bringing only what they could carry. honor to Pat’s memory. Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Their final destination was Arlington, Virginia recognize Mr. Bud Elliott as he celebrates his where other family members had already been There is not a better example of unbridled retirement as a reporter and news anchor for living. After working in local restaurants for patriotism and service than Pat Toro, who was KSEE24. For 23 years, Bud has been a part three years, the family saved enough to pur- inducted into the New York State Veterans of thousands of viewers’ lives, and we will all chase a small restaurant in the Westover Hall of Fame in 2006. undoubtedly miss watching him on the neighborhood of Arlington, near their home. I ask that my colleagues in the House of evening news. Being practical, they kept the original sign, Representatives join me and rise in memory of Bud’s career in journalism began years be- ‘‘Athenian Taverna,’’ changing just one word, the courageous and benevolent American fore his time at KSEE24. Bud worked at thus ‘‘Lebanese Taverna’’ was born. Each hero, Pat Toro, who provided an immeas- KHOW radio in Denver, Colorado, where he family member had a role at the original loca- urable service to some of the most deserving was news director for most of the 1970s. He tion, whether it was greeting guests, serving Americans.

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