[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE PEOPLE OF OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2002

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
people of Outback Steakhouse for their strong support of our brave 
troops fighting the war on terrorism. Fifteen employees from Outback 
restaurants flew more than 7,000 miles to Afghanistan to prepare 6,700 
steaks, 30,000 shrimp, and 3,000 giant onions for our courageous men 
and women. The members of ``Mission Outback'' as it was called, arrived 
in a C-17 at the Kandahar Airport with one objective: to deliver a 
message of appreciation from back home in the form of deep-fried 
onions, Rib-Eye steaks, grilled shrimp, french fries, mixed vegetables, 
and cheesecake. The thousands of military men and women could not have 
been more excited and thankful for the delicious taste of home.
  This philanthropic concept was born by the CEO of Outback, Chris 
Sullivan, whose compassion and generosity made the steak dinner 
possible. Together with Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, 
Outback had to coordinate the transport of thousands of pounds of food 
and the military clearance of fifteen people to cook in a war zone 
across the globe.
  Similar to our military missions in Afghanistan, ``Mission Outback'' 
was brief and on-target. The employees were in Kandahar for three days, 
preparing food almost the entire time.
  Outback Steakhouse has had a long history of providing assistance to 
our great nation. Most recently, the chain of Outback restaurants 
raised over $8.5 million for Dine-Out for America, a nation-wide 
fundraising event for victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. 
The money went directly to the American Red Cross and its Liberty 
Disaster Relief Fund.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no question that I speak for the thousands of 
troops in Afghanistan in thanking the people of Outback Steakhouse for 
their service to the United States and I ask that Congress join me in 
recognizing their exceptional contributions to our men and women in 
uniform.

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