[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE COAST GUARD HOUSE RESTAURANT AND RESTAURANT: PROV/
     ATOMIC CATERING FOR EARNING THE 2003 RESTAURANT NEIGHBOR AWARD

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                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2003

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor two restaurant 
operators in Rhode Island's second district that have been awarded the 
prestigious 2003 Restaurant Neighbor Award. The Coast Guard House 
Restaurant in Narragansett and Restaurant PROV/Atomic Catering in 
Providence were recently recognized by the National Restaurant 
Association for their remarkable community involvement in addition to 
their commitment to quality food. The current economic situation makes 
these generous contributions even more important, and Rhode Island 
restaurants and small businesses are stepping in to help. Seventy-eight 
restaurants from forty-three states earned the Restaurant Neighbor 
Award in 2003, and I am pleased that two were from my home state.
  Every year, owner Deborah Kelso oversees the Coast Guard House's 
donations of more than $30,000 to community causes including the Rhode 
Island Food Bank, South County Hospital, Sisters of the Poor, 
Johnnycake Center, March of Dimes, and Seniors Helping Others. The main 
event over the last ten years has been the restaurant's lead 
sponsorship of Concerts on the Beach, the annual Rhode Island 
Philharmonic concert on the Narragansett Town Beach. The Coast Guard 
House hosts a pre-concert reception and fundraiser, which raises more 
than $10,000 to help offset the cost of the event. This concert 
provides 30,000 families an opportunity to enjoy beautiful music in an 
extraordinary setting.
  Restaurant: PROV and Atomic Catering, both owned by Stoli Management, 
are equally deserving of this recognition. Thanksgiving at Restaurant: 
PROV is an annual tradition for many families. Every year, 1,000 low-
income individuals who might not otherwise have a meal are treated to a 
free Thanksgiving celebration with all of the usual fixings. In 
addition, employees, led by Executive Chef/co-owner Kevin Millonzi, 
served more than 400 meals to relief workers, volunteers, and victims' 
families in the wake of the deadly fire at the Station nightclub in 
February 2003. Stoli Management also donates time and food to Chefs for 
Cystic Fibrosis, the annual Zoobilee, and Providence Fire Fighters.
  Kelso and Millonzi's beliefs in volunteerism and giving back the 
community are applicable in their own lives as well as the way they run 
their restaurants. The commitment to giving of these two companies is 
an inspirational model, and I hope more businesses around the country 
follow their lead and contribute to their own communities.

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