[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1514-E1515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING SAM TOLEDO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sam Toledo 
for his contributions to the local restaurant industry and his success 
as a restaurateur. Sam has three Mexican restaurants that are operated 
in Fresno, California.
  At the age of fourteen, Sam came from Guanajuato, Mexico hoping to 
find work so he could help his parents financially. He began working as 
a farm laborer, then was hired as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. 
This was Sam's first Job in the restaurant industry. Within two years 
he worked his way from dishwasher to bussing tables to assistant cook.
  Sam married at the age of 18 and continued working in the restaurant 
industry. He worked at various restaurants as a cook, server, 
bartender, and head chef A few years later Sam helped a friend open a 
Mexican restaurant. He put his industry knowledge to work by helping 
his friend open the restaurant and serving as general manager of the 
new establishment. That restaurant chain now has three restaurants in 
Fresno and one in Oakhurst, CA.
  After working as general manager of all four restaurants over ten 
years, Sam was ready to open his own business. Mr. Toledo started with 
an empty building, prepared the restaurant by himself and billed all 
expenses to his line of credit. After eight months of hard work, Sam 
opened the first Toledo's Mexican Restaurant on September 5, 1991. In 
February of 1995, Sam opened the second Toledo's Mexican Restaurant and 
three months later opened the third. Mr. Toledo used his experience in 
the restaurant industry to help

[[Page E1515]]

three of his nephews open their own businesses. Toledo's Mexican 
Restaurants remain successful in the Fresno community.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Sam Toledo for his contributions 
to the local business community. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
wishing Mr. Toledo many more years of continued success.

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