[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 118 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S10435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     A TRIBUTE TO RALPH O. BRENNAN

 Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
fellow Louisianian, Mr. Ralph O. Brennan, who will be honored August 4 
by the Louisiana Restaurant Association for his distinguished career in 
the food service industry. A member of the world-famous Brennan 
restaurant family of New Orleans, Mr. Brennan has long exemplified a 
commitment to community service, participatory democracy and creating 
opportunities for all Americans.
  He has diligently served, and continues to serve, the $290 billion 
food service industry and its 9.4 million employees. A past president 
of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, he currently is chairman of 
the board and president of the National Restaurant Association, a major 
trade group here in Washington. He is also a trustee of the 
Association's educational foundation, and will be an industry delegate 
to the first White House Conference on Travel and Tourism in October 
1995. In all of these capacities he urges independent restaurateurs 
from around the country to participate fully in the democratic process 
by getting to know their elected representatives at every level of 
government and then making it their responsibility to keep those 
officials informed. He facilitates their involvement through a toll-
free hotline, numerous personal appearances and--perhaps most 
important--leading by example, through frequent visits to his Members 
of Congress and, on occasion, delivering testimony before congressional 
committees.
  With his sister, Cindy, Mr. Brennan owns and operates two award-
winning restaurants in the New Orleans French Quarter, thereby helping 
to preserve the rich culinary heritage of that great city which his 
family has successfully endeavored to do for three generations. But, as 
an industry leader, he is determined to preserve far more than just a 
great family tradition. Mr. Brennan has dedicated his life to 
preserving the boundless opportunities that food service affords 
individuals the rest of society could ignore, like recent immigrants, 
those without education or professional skills, and those on public 
assistance. Entry-level restaurant positions--washing dishes, bussing 
tables, assisting with food preparation--are a proven first step up a 
viable career ladder for millions of Americans; in fact, 60 percent of 
today's restaurant owners and managers started out in what some 
unknowing and insensitive people might refer to as dead-end restaurant 
jobs. In the restaurant business, upward mobility is the rule rather 
than the exception.
  Mr. President, as this Congress continues its debate on welfare 
reform, I salute Mr. Brennan for working to ensure that the unmatched 
employment and training opportunities afforded by the food service 
industry will be something all Americans can be proud of in the 
future.


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