[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 30, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              DON PITTMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2008

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to honor long-time 
restaurateur Don Pittman, as he was inducted into the Texas Restaurant 
Association Hall of Honor in June 2008. From Bar-B-Q to fresh seafood 
to Cajun delights, Texans take their food very seriously. For Don to 
receive this honor, he must have done some significant work.
   Pittman has been in the restaurant business for almost forty years. 
His career began in 1970 in Fredericksburg, Texas. He spent some time 
in Austin before deciding that he should branch out and carve a place 
for himself. He searched for a location with a community with a 
positive attitude and decided that Southeast Texas was the best place 
to start.
   Don moved to Beaumont in 1985 and opened eight Short Stop Burger 
locations across Southeast Texas. He operated these restaurants in 
Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange until the late 1990s. In 1998, he 
opened a Schlotzky's Deli in Beaumont and another in Port Arthur in 
2002. Pittman will serve as President of the Sabine Area Restaurant 
Association beginning this August. This will be his second term, as he 
previously served from 1991-1993.
   The Texas Restaurant Association Hall of Honor is the highest 
recognition that a member of the Association can receive. Winners are 
selected by a committee made up of past TRA presidents and Hall of 
Honor members. Individuals are honored for their commitment to the 
foodservice industry, the Association and their communities. This year, 
they chose to honor Don Pittman for his continuing excellence in 
serving Southeast Texas.
   On behalf of the Second Congressional District of Texas, I applaud 
Don Pittman for his dedication to serving some of the best food in the 
entire State of Texas.

                          ____________________