[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING TOM VIOLANTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2004

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Tom Violante, founder and 
owner of Holiday Market in Royal Oak, Michigan in a celebration of the 
Market's fifty years as a community landmark.
  When Holiday Market opened in 1954, it was a small store up the 
street from its present location and in some respects it was like many 
other small grocers so common in those days. It sold the basics and had 
a meat counter with a very few employees.
  But there was from the beginning a major difference: the owner, Tom 
Violante. He took a personal interest in every customer who walked 
through the door. He wanted every customer to be satisfied with 
service, price, and quality. Those who stopped at that small business 
place can remember Tom at the meat counter, friendly and eager to meet 
a customer's wishes. In these efforts he was actively joined by his 
wife Janet.
  He also possessed a strong business acumen. When opportunities arose 
to move down the street and expand into much larger quarters, he took 
the leap. Today Holiday Market provides an adventure in shopping for an 
imaginative variety of quality products.
  The next generation of his family has taken an increased interest. 
They have sustained the Violante touch of warm friendliness and 
superior service.
  As busy as Tom Violante was, whether as the cog in a small operation 
and later as his enterprise grew, and no matter how involved he and his 
wife Janet were in raising their growing family, Tom and Janet have 
possessed a strong community and civic involvement.
  Tom's community interest was exemplified in his service on the Oak 
Park Board of Education, the Oak Park Citizens School Finance 
Committee, President of the Frost Elementary School PTA, and the Oak 
Park Boosters Club. Many have been the beneficiaries of Tom and Janet 
Violante's civic interest. Their support of local charitable 
organizations include the Royal Oak Lions Club, the Royal Oak Boys and 
Girls Club, William Beaumont Hospital's Speech Therapy Program and 
Leader Dogs for the Blind and Hearing Impaired, among others.
  Mr. Speaker, as Tom Violante is ``roasted'' at the celebration on 
September 23, in Royal Oak, Michigan, I add my personal gratitude to a 
remarkable man who has given so much to make his community a better 
place for all of us. I ask my colleagues to join in congratulating 
Holiday Market on its golden anniversary and in wishing Tom Violante, 
his wife Janet, their five children and fourteen grandchildren good 
health and happiness, and continued success.

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