[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          JAMES AND SOPHIA TARABICOS' 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Jim 
and Sophia Tarabicos, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on 
February 28, 2004.
  As Jim and Sophia celebrate this milestone in their lives, they will 
surely reflect on the many changes, successes and accomplishments they 
have experienced together over the last fifty years. Theirs is a 
journey of which they can be proud.
  Jim is the son of the late Harilaos and Alexandra Tarabicos. Jim 
attended high school in his hometown of Nafpaktos, Greece. He came to 
Wilmington, DE at the young age of 19 to work at his uncle's 
restaurant, Presto, located at 817 Market Street in downtown 
Wilmington. His wife, Sophia, is the daughter of the late Louis and 
Georgia Liarakos. She is a native Delawarean who graduated from P.S. 
DuPont High School and studied at the University of Delaware.
  Jim and Sophia met at a church event when they were 19 and 17 
respectively. They married two years later on February 28, 1954 at Holy 
Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington in front of their friends 
and family.
  For over 40 years, Jim and Sophia dedicated their lives to one 
another and to their businesses. They opened their first store, a 
luncheonette named Jim's Place at 8th and Orange Streets in Wilmington 
in the mid 1950s. Several years later, they bought Presto Restaurant 
from their uncle. They later changed the name to Tarabicos. Jim and 
Sophia were committed to the success of their restaurant. Owning their 
own business allowed them to spend valuable time with each other, while 
at the same time being devoted parents, and major contributors to their 
neighbors, community, and church. They retired a decade ago, and 
continue to remain active members of their community.
  Jim and Sophia consider their church to be like a second family. Jim 
was the president of the parish council for Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox 
Church from 1971 to 1973. While Jim was president, plans were made to 
move forward with approving the construction of the community center 
and the design, financing and use thereof. Sophia is a member of the 
Philoptochos Greek Ladies Society and served as president from 1981 to 
1983.
  In addition to the restaurants and church activities, Jim and Sophia 
were also quite involved with political activities, committees, and 
fundraisers in the City of Wilmington and were active with the city's 
merchants association. In their spare time, they enjoy taking walks 
together at Bellevue State Park, and traveling, especially taking 
cruises.
  They are blessed with three children, Larry, Alexandra, and 
Georgiean, and six grandchildren, Kristin, Sophia Alyssa, Maria, Sophia 
Elaina, Michael and Dimitri. They are devoted to each other and to 
their families. Jim and Sophia are active in their children's and 
grandchildren's lives, often traveling to visit family members and 
spending meaningful time with their grandchildren and passing on to 
them valuable life lessons. They enjoy attending all of their various 
school functions
  Today, I rise to congratulate Jim and Sophia on their 50th wedding 
anniversary. Both have shown great service and commitment to their 
family and to their community. They serve as true role models. I know 
that their years together hold many beautiful memories. It is my hope 
that those ahead will be filled with continued joy. I wish them both 
the very best in all that lies ahead.

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