[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING MITCH LOUIS MANSOUR ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE GROCERY 
                                BUSINESS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2001

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Michael Louis 
``Mitch'' Mansour, of Huntington, WV, who, after half a century in the 
grocery business, retired on November 4, 2001.
  For thirty-eight years Mitch owned and operated ``Mansour's Market,'' 
a family neighborhood grocery market that survived the intense 
competition brought about by ``superstores'' and continues to thrive 
today.
  Mitch Mansour's entrepreneurial career began almost from birth. The 
son of Lebanese immigrants, Mitch was born in 1930 next door to his 
father's modest grocery store. Even before adolescence Mitch worked 
alongside his father, Elia, cultivating customer relationships and a 
solid work ethic. Mitch eventually took over this small store in 1954 
after returning home from service during the Korean War.
  In 1963, Mitch and his bride, Melanie, began ``Mansour's Food 
Market,'' which has served as a source of quality foods and employment 
for hundreds of residents from the local community. From loyal 
employees that have built careers in catering, meat cutting, grocery 
management, and customer relations to summer and part-time employees 
who have pursued professions in law and medicine, ``Mansour's'' has 
been a solid and reassuring pillar in the Huntington community.
  An innovator in customer service, Mitch would not just point the 
customer to the desired aisle, but walk them to the display and 
personally present the product choices. In the 1960's, ``Mansour's'' 
began their grocery home delivery service, which continues to be a 
valuable service today, especially for elderly and disabled residents. 
If a customer cannot make it to ``Mansour's,'' ``Mansour's'' comes to 
them.
  In today's transient world it's rare to find someone who spends their 
life so closely entwined in their community. Michael Mansour and 
``Mansour's Market'' has been an important part of the Huntington 
community and will continue to be for a long time.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in offering sincere congratulations 
to Mitch on the event of his retirement and best wishes for the future.

                          ____________________