[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNITION OF THE VIENNA INN

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the 50th Anniversary of a landmark in Northern Virginia, the Vienna 
Inn. Located in the heart of the Town of Vienna, the Inn continues to 
bring together people from all walks of life. You always feel welcome 
and you can always find a good meal and great conversation.
  The Vienna Inn is a part of the fabric that makes up the Town of 
Vienna. Its walls, with vintage black and white pictures, sports 
memorabilia, and other oddities, tell Northern Virginia's story. First 
opened in 1960 by Mollie and Mike Abraham, the Vienna Inn took over 
what was then Freddy's Cafe. Dating back to when the tavern was first 
built in 1925, the Inn also has served as an ice cream parlor and a 
sandwich shop.
  Mollie and Mike sought to establish a local restaurant that would 
encourage the community to come together and share their common 
experiences in a relaxed setting. As Mollie Abraham once said, ``You 
could sit at a table with strangers and by the end of the night be 
friends''.
  Mike and Mollie became fixtures of our community, supporting local 
sports teams and community events. In fact, when Mollie was not making 
jokes with patrons she could be found umpiring local tennis matches, 
volunteering with the Americans for Democratic Action, and serving as a 
regional board member with the National Organization for Women.
  The Abraham family's business grew into a local treasure, with people 
coming from all over the National Capital Region for a famous Vienna 
Inn hot dog and a pint of beer. As the business grew, the Abrahams 
hired their son, Philip, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, as 
their head chef. Mollie credits her son's home-style cooking with 
helping the Inn remain so popular within the community.
  After 40 years of service to the community, Mollie sold the Vienna 
Inn to Marty Volk in 2000. To Mollie, selling the Vienna Inn to Mr. 
Volk was like keeping the business in the family. Marty has been a 
customer since he was a 6-year-old, and he understands the rich history 
and the tradition of the Vienna Inn.
  Today, the Vienna Inn is still the same as it was 50 years ago. 
You'll see business leaders at the bar eating a hot dog with the local 
plumber and a soccer team enjoying chili dogs at the corner table. Of 
course, the ``Vienna Inn Corner Club'' still claims one corner of the 
bar every weekday afternoon. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in congratulating the Vienna Inn on 50 years of service to the Town 
of Vienna. I and many other loyal patrons from across Northern Virginia 
wish the Inn many more years of continued success.

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