[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 34 (Thursday, March 23, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF SHERRILL'S BAKERY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Sherrill's Bakery, the 
``Fine Pastry, Fine Foods'' bakery located at 233 Pennsylvania Ave., in 
Washington, DC. Sherrill's Bakery has fed Capitol Hill and countless 
visiting tourists from throughout the nation for generations.
  Established in 1922, Sherrill's Bakery has changed hands once to 
current owner, Dorothy Paletto, known to her employees as Dottie. 
Dottie and her mother, affectionately known as ``Miss Lola,'' have 
owned the bakery since 1941. The recipes are their own special recipes, 
reminiscent of a time when all restaurants were family-owned, when 
everybody knew your name and you knew theirs. Along with Dottie, Miss 
Lola, the remarkably loyal staff of Tommie Kennedy (who has worked at 
Sherrill's since 1941), Yolanda, and Patrick serve as the wait staff, 
with Leon and Ivory holding the honors in the kitchen.
  Upon entering the restaurant you are pulled into a comfort zone, a 
laid back atmosphere where you talk to the wait staff about more then 
just your order. It's more than just a restaurant; it's a community, 
with a common bond of enjoying Sherrill's unique ambiance and tasty 
delights. Sherril's Bakery is just like returning to your favorite 
neighborhood restaurant from your youth, always there and never 
changing. For all the changes that have taken place, on Capitol Hill 
and its immediate neighborhoods, the one constant has been Sherrill's 
Bakery.
  The bakery serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is open 7 days a 
week, Monday through Friday, from 6 am until 6 pm. Saturdays hours are 
from 7 am until 6 pm, and on Sundays the bakery is open from 7 am until 
4 pm. On weekends, the line of customers stretch out the door.
  Sherrill's Bakery is my favorite restaurant here on Capital Hill; I 
go there faithfully every morning since it reminds me of my favorite 
neighborhood diners back in Cleveland, Ohio. The wait staff recognizes 
regular customers like me and my regular waiter, Patrick, is quick to 
promptly place my breakfast order, which he knows by heart: two slices 
of plain wheat toast, a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of hot water with a 
slice of lemon on the side. Three bucks the entire meal, the best 
bargain anywhere.
  In 1990, a film documentary was done on the bakery for the Public 
Broadcasting Service. The PBS documentary was nominated for an Emmy 
Award for best documentary, finishing in second place. Many celebrities 
have relaxed in the dusty diner with dingy windows and neon lights. 
Celebrities such as actors Mike Farrell (from M*A*S*H*) and Robert 
Bedford, California State Senator, Tom Hayden; Rock 'n' Roll legend, 
Sam Moore of Sam & Dave; Apollo 11 astronaut, Buzz Aldrin; and former 
California Governor and current Oakland Mayor, Jerry Brown, have all 
spent time in its timeless booths and on its counter stools. Sherrill's 
has also been the subject of several in-depth news articles and 
profiles, most notably in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the 
Washington Times, and Roll Call.
  Please join me honoring Sherrill's Bakery for their wonderful food 
and presence here on Capitol Hill.

                          ____________________