[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H2823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CELEBRATING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF RUSSO'S BAR & GRILL

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 90th 
anniversary of Russo's Bar & Grill in Amsterdam, New York, a city I 
have proudly called home my entire life.
  John Russo opened Russo's in 1920 as the Mohawk Grocery Store. After 
the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, John turned the grocery store into a 
tavern and pool hall. He then passed it to his children, Pat, Angelo, 
Vince, and Lou. Other than Lou's sad passing, the others are still 
alive and well today. The restaurant eventually was passed along to its 
current owners, Mike and Barbara Russo.
  However, Russo's is much more than a run-of-the-mill restaurant. 
Russo's is about family, a gathering place, old American ideals, an 
immigrant's dream, and a successful small business. Perhaps that is why 
even then-candidate Hillary Clinton recognized the importance of 
Russo's, making a campaign stop there during her successful 2000 run 
for a United States Senate seat.
  Nearly a century ago, John Russo planted his dream seed, which 
germinated and grew over generations to what we see today, a continuing 
tradition and legacy of fine food, family gathering, a sense of place, 
and a gathering post after local community meetings and events. Russo's 
has the recipe for success, tasty success, for 90 years. 
Congratulations, Russo's.

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