[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E98]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE HICKORY LOG RESTAURANT

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                          HON. JO ANN EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 27, 2010

  Mrs. EMERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Hickory 
Log restaurant in Dexter, Missouri, for its induction to the Missouri 
Restaurant Hall of Fame. For decades, travelers along Highway 60 in the 
southern part of our state have been tempted by the thought of 
delicious barbeque at the Hickory Log. And I can attest from personal 
experience that no one ever leaves the Hickory Log dissatisfied with 
the food or the service at a staple of the region's barbeque scene.
  The Hickory Log has been owned and operated by the Banken family 
since they purchased the restaurant in 1967. In that time, they have 
built a reputation for barbeque that brings enthusiasts from miles 
around. The restaurant has grown over the years, but the uncompromising 
quality of the fare is unchanged, and so is the commitment of John and 
Laveda Banken to be active participants in the life of their community.
  Election to the Missouri Restaurant Hall of Fame is a tremendous 
honor for this barbeque restaurant from Dexter Missouri. Only 
establishments in business for longer than 25 years are eligible for 
the honor. Later this month, the award ceremony in St. Louis will bring 
together some 400 restaurant-industry colleagues of the Banken family.
  Owning a restaurant is truly one of the most demanding vocations in 
the world of small business. It requires around-the-clock time and 
attention, a continuously positive attitude, and focus on serving the 
customer with good food. The Hickory Log excels in all of these areas, 
and the restaurant also serves as a reminder to this House to seriously 
consider the ramifications of the policies we consider here on the 
owners, proprietors and workers at restaurants and family-owned small 
businesses all over the country. We also ought to have in mind the 
savory taste of the barbeque ribs, like no others, that they proudly 
serve in Dexter, Missouri.

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