[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 117 (Wednesday, August 4, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S6729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    TRIBUTE TO SIMON ``CY'' V. AVARA

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I pay special tribute to 
Simon ``Cy'' Avara on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his 
business, the Avara International Academy of Hair Design and 
Technology.
  Cy was born in Baltimore where his parents, Vincent and Mary, were 
working-class Italian Americans. Cy grew up watching his father work as 
a neighborhood barber. When Cy was 14 years old his father died in a 
tragic car accident. He decided to follow in his father's footsteps 
and, after a period of apprenticeship, he passed the Maryland State 
Board Barber's exam. At age 16, he opened up his own barbershop, 
charging 60 cents for a man's haircut.
  He closed the barber shop for 2 years when he was drafted and served 
with the U.S. Army in Korea. After the war, Cy returned to Baltimore to 
establish an upscale salon to showcase his barbering talents. But his 
real satisfaction came from teaching others how to cut and style hair. 
He enjoyed helping others develop a skill that they could use 
throughout their lives to support themselves and their families. In 
1960, he opened the Avara International Academy of Hair Design and 
Technology in his southwest Baltimore neighborhood. His school was so 
successful that he was able to acquire another school in Dundalk, 
Baltimore County, 10 years later.
  Cy has been recognized as a leader in his profession and he has used 
his knowledge of the industry to advocate for barbers and stylists. He 
has served in several posts over the course of his career, including 
secretary-treasurer of the International Barber School Association, 
national president of Barber Examiners, and founder and chairman of the 
Maryland Hair Designers Association. But most important, while the 
southwest Baltimore and Dundalk neighborhoods have fallen on hard 
times, the Avara International Academy of Hair Design and Technology 
has remained as a beacon of hope and opportunity.
  As a child, Cy was raised to appreciate his blessings and to help 
others who were less fortunate. His father gave haircuts to people who 
wanted to make a good impression so they could get a job; his mother 
gave out food to those in need in their neighborhood. Cy never forgot 
these lessons in generosity. For more than 40 years, he has been deeply 
involved with St. Vincent's Center for Abused and Neglected Children, 
regularly sending his barber students to cut the children's hair. He 
has also been a major contributor to the Ed Block Courage Award 
Foundation, which was started by one of his former barber students, Sam 
Lamantia, to honor professional football players who have overcome 
adversity and contributed to the betterment of their community.
  On August 29, 2010, Cy will hold a Cut-AThon fundraiser to celebrate 
his special anniversary. The proceeds from the event will benefit the 
Ed Block Courage Award Foundation which supports the St. Vincent Center 
for Abused and Neglected Children.
  I urge my colleagues to join me today to salute Simon ``Cy'' Avara; 
his wife Rita; his sons Michael Thomas, and Lawrence; and his daughter 
Susan in celebration of their achievements as humanitarians and 
entrepreneurs on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding 
the Avara International Academy of Hair Design and Technology.

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