[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 64 (Friday, April 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF BUDDY LaROSA AS HE RECEIVES THE TREE OF LIFE AWARD

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                           HON. JEAN SCHMIDT

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 20, 2007

  Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Buddy LaRosa 
as he receives the Tree of Life humanitarian award on April 30, 2007 
from the Jewish National Fund.
  The Jewish National Fund has bestowed its highest honor, the Tree of 
Life award, annually since 1981. Recipients of this prestigious honor 
are chosen on the basis of outstanding community involvement, 
professional leadership and humanitarian service. Previous national 
recipients have included Hank Aaron, Archbishop Joseph Bernardin and 
Donald Trump.
  The Tree of Life award was named to symbolize the Jewish National 
Fund's efforts to reclaim and develop the land of Israel from barren 
and uninhabitable land into a land of lush green forests and fields, 
productive farmlands and varied tourism and recreation facilities.
  The Jewish National Fund is honoring Mr. LaRosa because of his 
outstanding community service, active civic involvement and ongoing 
dedication to helping those less fortunate.
  This talented and generous man is the name behind one of Cincinnati's 
most recognized and beloved eateries, LaRosa's Restaurant. A lifelong 
native of Western Hills, Buddy opened his first pizzeria there in 1954 
with a couple of partners, limited funds, and his Aunt Dena's recipe. 
Today, Buddy is known as the ``Pizza King'' and LaRosa's, with its 15 
company-owned restaurants, 45 franchise locations across the region, 
and more than 1,500 employees, is a household name synonymous with 
great pizza.
  Buddy's commitment to the youth in the Cincinnati area is legendary. 
Buddy has often said, ``To live a full life, be a credit to my family 
and community, and touch young people so that one day they too may 
experience the joys I have had.'' This philosophy, combined with a 
strong work ethic, is no doubt the recipe to Buddy's success.
  Buddy was inspired to give back to the youth of our community after a 
fire devastated his Western Hills restaurant in 1973. Hundreds of area 
high school students, through their sports coaches, helped to rebuild 
his restaurant in a record 40 days. As a way to fulfill his personal 
goal of giving back to students in the community, Buddy founded the 
Buddy LaRosa High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1975. The Hall of Fame 
has seven new inductees each year and honors 12 local high school 
students for their academic and athletic achievements. Today, this 
outstanding program is a cornerstone of our community and has touched 
the lives of countless young people.
  Over the years, Buddy has generously given back through his 
involvement with the Cincinnati Golden Gloves for Youth Program and the 
Greater Cincinnati Police Athletic League. Some of his other 
beneficiaries include various schools and charitable organizations such 
as Children's Hospital Medical Center, WCET-TV, and the Free Store 
Foodbank, Inc.
  Buddy is a graduate of Roger Bacon High School and earned an 
associate degree in business technology. He also served his country in 
the United States Navy from 1948-1952. Buddy has been married to his 
wife, JoAnn Augustine, for 55 years and they have 4 children and 13 
grandchildren.
  All of us in the Cincinnati area congratulate Buddy LaRosa on 
receiving the Tree of Life humanitarian award.

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