[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 128 (Thursday, September 20, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF MR. BERNIE REIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2012

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great citizen of 
Connecticut, Bernard ``Bernie'' Rein of Manchester, Connecticut who 
passed away last week at the age of 90. Bernie, along with his brother 
Bob and sister-in-law Betty, started Rein's New York Style Deli in 
Vernon, Connecticut in 1972. The Reins came from a New Jersey deli 
family, and started Rein's in Connecticut when they realized how much 
they missed good New York City deli food. He was raised in Union, New 
Jersey and was an all-state orchestra drummer during high school. 
Following graduation, Bernie served as Corporal in the Army Air Corps 
during World War II.
  Over the past 40 years, Rein's Deli has served thousands of 
Connecticut residents and passing travelers from its location on the 
Hartford Turnpike. Known for its `sour pickles' and its fresh deli 
sandwiches, Rein's has a devoted following in the Vernon community by 
serving ``food that feeds the soul and warms the heart.'' The 
reputation of the deli has grown steadily over the years and became a 
magnet for the travelers en route between New York City to Boston (and 
vice versa). On any given day, the parking lot in north central 
Connecticut is packed with cars bearing license plates from New Jersey, 
New York, and Massachusetts. The workforce has steadily grown and has a 
solid staff of loyal, long time cooks, waiters and waitresses that now 
constitute the second largest private work force in town.
  Even during this period of impressive growth, the top notch kosher 
quality of the food has sustained and the atmosphere is still friendly 
and caring. A big reason for the latter, is that over the years Bernie 
has been a constant presence, visiting with patrons, telling stories 
and jokes and always sharing his abiding love for jazz. I personally 
enjoyed many such exchanges as a regular lunchtime diner and like 
everyone else, always got a kick out of his quirky good humor. Bernie 
Rein's legacy is not just that of a devoted husband and restaurateur, 
but also of an engaged and involved citizen in his local community.
  Bernie Rein's legacy is not just that of a devoted husband and 
restaurateur, but also of an engaged and involved citizen in his local 
community. Rein's has always been a sponsor of youth sports, food 
drives, local advertising--any cause that helped people in need and 
investing in Vernon's future.
  Bernie will be dearly missed by his wife, Rae Ruby-Rein, his son and 
his grandchildren, and all those in Connecticut who frequented Rein's 
Deli. I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning the loss and 
celebrating the life of Bernie Rein.

                          ____________________