[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E661-E662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF VELVET ICE CREAM AND THE ENTIRE DAGER FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2014

  Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Velvet Ice 
Cream in Utica, Ohio upon its 100th anniversary.

[[Page E662]]

   In a quintessential American story, 15-year-old Joseph Dager came to 
America from Lebanon in 1903 without knowing a word of English. Eleven 
years later he started his ice cream business in the basement of a 
local confectionary. His hand-cranked ice cream batches set his family 
and Central Ohio on a path that would make Velvet Ice Cream and Central 
Ohio famous.
   Although they no longer hand-crank ice cream in a basement, the 
company strives to maintain its connection to those by-gone years. In 
homage to Velvet's adherence to old time values and tradition, Velvet 
is now housed in a refurbished grist mill from the 1800s. The ``Ye Olde 
Mill'' now manufactures ice cream, plays host to thousands of visitors 
and marks the center of activity during each annual Utica Sertoma Ice 
Cream Festival.
   Thousands stream into Utica each year for the festival. Having 
attended many myself, I know the joy locals and outsiders alike find in 
a bowl of good, old-fashioned ice cream. In a way, the festival 
commemorates the simple beginnings of a business started by an 
immigrant named Joseph Dager. Like so many other enterprises, Velvet 
Ice Cream started humbly but grew into a Central Ohio institution. 
America is richer for Velvet's founder's contributions to our country 
and Central Ohioans are grateful he chose to settle here.
   As the fourth generation of the Dager family carries Joseph Dager's 
legacy into its 2nd century, Central Ohio proudly celebrates one man's 
vision, hard work and sweet legacy.

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