[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      AWARD TO CALIFORNIA TAQUERIA

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to pay special recognition to 
the recipient of this year's Retail Firm of the Year Award given by the 
Minority Business Development Agency of the U.S. Department of 
Commerce. I am very pleased to be able to recognize California 
Taqueria, a mexican restaurant in Kansas City, MO.
  This family-run business was started by Vincent Ramirez nearly 10 
years ago as a small fruit and doughnut stand. Ramirez's wife, 
Marcella, and daughter, Rosina Valdivia, are partners in California 
Taqueria. With hard work and an untiring commitment, the Ramirez's 
dream has now grown into one of Kansas City's most successful 
restaurants. California Taqueria now seats 60 people, but due to its 
growing popularity, the restaurant will move at the end of the year to 
a new location that will seat 150 people, including patio seating and a 
rooftop deck.
  The Ramirez family epitomizes the kind of dedication, work ethic, and 
ideals necessary to achieve the level of prosperity of California 
Taqueria. This Kansas City family is a fine example of hard working, 
goal driven individuals who banded together to surmount difficulties in 
order to fulfill their aspirations. California Taqueria recently was 
named the Chicago regional winner during Minority Enterprise 
Development Week from among businesses in 10 different States. Winners 
from the five regions then competed for the national award, ultimately 
claimed by California Taqueria. Vincent Ramirez and his family will be 
honored in Washington next week with this year's national award for the 
Retail Firm of the Year. It is my great pleasure to congratulate the 
Ramirez family and California Taqueria for this significant 
accomplishment.

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