Congressional Record—Senate S5627
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September 23, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5627 ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS has become a genre all its own and has Eduardo and Denisse have made sig- grown to be beloved all over the world. nificant efforts to better the lives of Motown music helped break barriers, those in their community, both in 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MOTOWN and it is my hope that the legacy of Florida and in Puerto Rico. After Hur- ∑ Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I Barry Gordy, Jr., and Motown will in- ricane Irma hit Puerto Rico in 2017, wish to recognize the 60th anniversary spire the next generation of leaders to Eduardo and Denisse donated dozens of of Motown and remarkable life of Berry follow their passion and change the generators to help survivors get their Gordy, Jr., a man who achieved one of world.∑ businesses back up and running. Their the most significant musical accom- f dedication to preserving the culture plishments of the 20th century. and heritage of Puerto Rico in central RECOGNIZING MELAO BAKERY Motown is the sound that changed Florida has created a loyal customer America; it broke barriers between ∑ Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chair- base and has made Melao Bakery a people and united fans of every race man of the Senate Committee on Small community staple. Melao Bakery is a and creed. Business and Entrepreneurship, each shining example of how dignified work Mr. Gordy was born in 1929 to a mid- week I highlight a small business that can lead to grassroots engagement and dle-class family on the east side of De- displays the unique entrepreneurial successful business expansion. As we troit. At first, Mr. Gordy pursued his spirit found throughout our country. It celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, I dreams to become a professional boxer is my privilege to recognize a Florida am proud to highlight Melao Bakery and boxed until 1950 when he was draft- small business that demonstrates con- for their dedication to Florida’s His- ed to serve his country in the Korean sistent hard work, a commitment to panic community.∑ war. After returning from Korea in excellent customer service, and a de- 1953, Mr. Gordy began to pursue his sire to give back to the Florida com- f passion for music by opening a record munity. Today, it is my honor to name 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNIVISION store, and then went on to work at the Melao Bakery as the Senate Small ARIZONA Ford Lincoln-Mercury Plant. Business of the Week. In 1959, Gordy founded Tamla Founded in 2009, Melao Bakery is a ∑ Ms. SINEMA. Mr. President, today I Records that would go on to become family-owned and operated restaurant recognize the 40th anniversary of Motown after he received an $800 loan run by Eduardo Colon and Denisse Univision Arizona. As one of Arizona’s and moved to 2648 W. Grand Blvd, also Torres. Originally from Puerto Rico, leading television networks, Univision known as Hitsville U.S.A. Due to De- Eduardo and Denisse have created a Arizona has been on the front lines of troit being known as the Motor City, place where families can enjoy tradi- delivering important news to our Mr. Gordy, in tribute to what he felt tional Puerto Rican cuisine in Kis- State, earning nationwide recognition was a city of warm, soulful people and simmee, FL, a city many Puerto by winning 23 Emmy Awards this year. Detroit being his hometown, decided Ricans call home. Melao has grown Throughout its 40-year history, the perfect name for his company and from a small bakery in central Florida Univision Arizona has evolved and new label would be ‘‘Motown.’’ with seven employees into a full-menu adapted to the needs of its viewers by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy restaurant employing more than 150 crafting engaging content and shedding formed an early partnership and co- people at its two locations in Kis- light on important stories that deserve wrote Motown Records’ first smash-hit simmee and Orlando. Melao Bakery is to be heard. ‘‘Shop Around,’’ recorded by The Mir- known for its commitment to exem- As the leading source of Spanish-lan- acles, who would go on to be Motown’s plary customer service and for pro- guage media and news in our State, first million-record selling record. viding an authentic, traditional experi- Univision Arizona serves 1.6 million Soon, other acts would follow, includ- ence for its customers. Arizonans through two television sta- ing legendary artists such as the Eduardo and Denisse arrived in Flor- tions, four radio stations, and other Supremes, the Four Tops, Marvin ida 17 years ago from Vega Baja, PR. In digital and social platforms. With the Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Tempta- Vega Baja, the couple owned a bakery fast-changing pace of news and tech- tions, all discovered by Mr. Gordy. but made the decision to move to Flor- nology, Univision Arizona has grown In the 1960s alone, Motown Records ida, with their 1-year-old son, in search into an innovative news source, while had over 75 records in the top 10 of the of new opportunities. When Eduardo maintaining and staying true to its Billboard Hot 100. In the 1970s, Motown and Denisse settled in Kissimmee, they original mission. moved to California and continued to did not move to open the bakery imme- Univision Arizona serve all Arizo- create hits with a Detroit sound by diately; Eduardo studied to pass truck nans, especially the Hispanic commu- groups such as the Jackson 5 and the driving exams, and through hard work, nity, which has richly contributed to Commodores. With so many music leg- he was able to establish his own heavy our State. I am proud to recognize ends, Motown has often been consid- transport company. Univision Arizona’s 40th anniversary ered one of the greatest labels of all Melao Bakery not only provides deli- milestone, while celebrating the con- time. cious pastries and cuisine, but it also tributions of Arizona’s Hispanic com- In 1998, Mr. Gordy was inducted into serves as a meeting place for local His- munity during Hispanic Heritage the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as panics. They have since expanded their Month. Univision Arizona’s mission, its founder and helmsman of the Motown vision through the acquisition of the dedicated reporters and staff, and the music empire. shopping center where Melao Bakery is stories they share are truly representa- In addition to music, Mr. Gordy pro- located. Eduardo and Denisse’s busi- tive of the profound and powerful role duced films such as the Oscar-nomi- ness has been honored for maintaining the Hispanic community plays in our nated, ‘‘Lady Day Sings the Blues’’ and a strong sense of Hispanic heritage by State.∑ ‘‘Mahogany.’’ both starring Motown the grassroots organization, the Libre icon Diana Ross. In 2013, Mr. Gordy Initiative. In 2012, Melao Bakery was f went on to write and produce ‘‘Motown: also recognized by the Kissimmee MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE the Musical,’’ to tell his story and the Chamber of Commerce as the first His- RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT story of Motown Records. ‘‘Motown: panic business to win its annual Small the Musical’’ went on to play 738 Business of the Year award. In 2014, ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED Broadway performances, and have mas- Melao Bakery was presented with the Under the authority of the order of sively successful national tours and Governor’s Business Ambassador the Senate of January 3, 2019, the Sec- international productions. Award for its leadership in creating retary of the Senate, on September 20, Mr. Gordy founded an American employment opportunities in central 2019, during the adjournment of the music institution that exemplifies the Florida. Additionally, Melao Bakery Senate, received a message from the unity that must exist in our country has won awards for the quality of its House of Representatives announcing and created a sound that still moves food, such as Best Latin Restaurant in that the Speaker had signed the fol- the Motor City today. Motown’s music the Osceola community. lowing enrolled bills: VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Sep 24, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23SE6.019 S23SEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with SENATE.