[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 8 (Wednesday, February 6, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ADELA GONZMART

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM DAVIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2002

  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Adela Gonzmart, 
the matriarch of Ybor City's famed Columbia Restaurant, who will long 
be remembered across the State of Florida and the nation for her 
compassion for others and her efforts to preserve the vibrant culture 
of Tampa and Ybor City.
  As a child prodigy on the piano, Adela nurtured her talent and soon 
became a concert pianist, traveling with her husband across the world 
to share their music. In 1953, the Gonzmarts returned to Tampa and soon 
took over operation of Adela's father's restaurant, the Columbia.
  The Gonzmarts turned the Columbia Restaurant into a successful 
enterprise and used the family business as a means to contribute to the 
Ybor community. Adela and her husband hosted countless charity 
fundraisers at the Columbia and served as patrons for the Tampa art 
community. Adela helped form the Tampa Symphony Orchestra, now the 
Florida Symphony Orchestra, and organized the Ballet Folklorico of Ybor 
City, a dance company inspired by Ybor's Cuban, Spanish and Italian 
culture.
  However, Adela was best known for her enormous heart. Adela never met 
a stranger and anyone who stepped foot into her restaurant could not 
help but feel like family. She loved sharing stories of her family and 
their Spanish and Cuban heritage. Adela's devotion to her community, 
her two sons and, and her eight grandchildren is an inspiration to us 
all.
  Monsignor Lawrence Higgins, who presided over Adela's funeral, 
described her as ``the queen of Ybor City and all the town.'' I can 
think of no better tribute. Tampa has truly lost a piece of its rich 
history in the passing of Adela Gonzmart.
  On behalf of the people of Tampa Bay, I would like to extend my 
heartfelt sympathies to Adela's family. Adela was, and will continue to 
be, larger than life to all of us who knew her, deeply cared for her, 
and respected her. Thankfully, her legacy will flourish with her sons, 
Richard and Casey, and their families as they build upon their proud 
family tradition of operating the Columbia Restaurant and serving our 
community and State in countless ways.

                          ____________________