[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CHIEU LE AND LEE'S SANDWICHES--COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY

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                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Mr. Chieu Le, founder and chief executive officer of Lee's Sandwiches 
in Orange County, California.
  An immigrant and a business leader, Mr. Le was recognized by the 
Asian Business Association of Orange County in 2003 for his 
entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the communities his company 
serves.
  In 1981, one year after immigrating to the United States from 
Vietnam, Mr. Le and his family bought their first catering truck and 
began serving sandwiches in the community.
  Twenty years later, they opened the first Lee's Sandwich Shop in 
Garden Grove, California. The idea of a fast-food style restaurant 
serving Vietnamese sandwiches came from Mr. Le's late son, Minh.
  Today, Lee's Sandwiches is the fastest-growing restaurant chain in 
the West, with 35 stores in operation or development.
  Mr. Le and his family also believe in giving back to the community. 
In response to the tragedies of the 9-11 attacks and the Tsunami in 
South Asia, Lee's Sandwiches raised nearly $200,000 in total for the 
victims of these disasters.
  The Le family is as an example of a successful business in California 
that continues to give back to its community. I believe that Mr. Le and 
Lee's Sandwiches will continue to expand the commitment to the 
communities they serve.

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