[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 43 (Thursday, April 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN HONOR AND RECOGNITION OF VASILIOS ``BILL'' KAVADIAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
Vasilios ``Bill'' Kavadias, owner and manager of the Greek Taverna 
Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue, for his 41 years of service to the 
Capitol Hill community. For 41 years, Bill has opened his doors to 
thousands of Members of Congress, Senators, Capitol Hill residents and 
visitors.
  Bill arrived from the Greek Island of Kefalonia on the USS 
Independence on December 30, 1956, with his brother. Soon after his 
arrival, Bill met and married his wife, Ifigenia. Two years later in 
1965 around the same time Bill was starting his new business, the 
couple gave birth to their one and only child, Gregory.
  Starting Taverna with his brother in 1965, rocky times would soon 
befall on him. But being the man that Bill is, he would not allow the 
initial shortcomings interfere with his desire to succeed. Changing the 
menu 3 times in 10 years to meet customers' requests, Bill and his 
brother noticed that people really enjoyed Greek food, and in 1977, 
Taverna went all Greek. From here on, Bill turned Taverna into a 
culinary palace it is today. Even though he would insist that it was 
his customers who made it happen, we all know that it was Bill who 
transformed his modest establishment into the symbol it is today. Along 
the way, he befriended many people including former Speakers of the 
House Tipper O'Neil and Newt Gingrich. Among the many other Members of 
Congress that frequent this iconic restaurant, Bill has warmly served 
the President of Brazil, former presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, 
the Greek Ambassador during the Reagan years and Secretary of State 
Madeline Albright to name a few.
  I had the pleasure of meeting Bill about 10 years ago shortly after I 
was elected to Congress. Day after day, I would make my way to his 
extraordinary establishment and each and every time, Bill was there to 
greet me. Over time, he and I forged a remarkable friendship that I am 
so grateful for. Taverna is like my home, but it would not be so 
without Bill. I am saddened by his retirement but am very thankful for 
the time I have had with him.
  Aside from his business accomplishments, Bill always made sure that 
he devoted his heart, mind and time to his surrounding community, his 
customers and his family. This was made evident when many of his 
friends and long-time customers showed up on the Thursday before his 
retirement to pay him homage.
  This man is truly one to be honored and emulated as he has touched 
the hearts of so many of his customers and friends during his time at 
Taverna. His immense kindness and overwhelming generosity is something 
that is not often seen in today's society. My thoughts and prayers are 
with him and his family as he embarks on his new path. And like 
everything else Bill has done, I am certain that he will be enormously 
successful.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of Vasilios ``Bill'' Kavadias, whose dedication and 41 years of service 
to his customers and community will be missed, but never forgotten.

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