[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 130 (Thursday, September 11, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING ELVIRA CENOZ

 Mr. HELLER. Madam President, I wish to congratulate Elvira 
Cenoz on her retirement from the Overland Hotel in Gardnerville, NV. 
Despite the name, the Overland is not actually a hotel, but one of the 
finest places for a traditional Basque meal in Nevada.
  Since its construction in 1908, the Overland Hotel has been a 
stopping point for many travelers making their way through Nevada. 
Conveniently situated on America's First Transcontinental Highway, the 
Lincoln Highway, the Overland Hotel has a long history of welcoming 
local ranchers, politicians, civic leaders, and weary travelers. The 
Overland Hotel has since become a place for the Basque culture to be 
celebrated in Gardnerville. Nevada has a proud Basque history, and the 
Overland Hotel and Saloon embodies that long and rich tradition. The 
Basque people originally settled in Nevada due to our proud ranching 
traditions. Their hearty cooking and family-centric meals quickly 
became a staple of Nevada's local cuisine.
  The Overland Hotel is known throughout the State and to all of its 
patrons for its authentic Basque cuisine and charm, which is greatly 
attributed to Elvira and her late husband Eusebio Cenoz. Eusebio bought 
the Overland Hotel in 1972 after many years as a sheep herder. He and 
Elvira were married in 1980, and she joined her husband to run the 
restaurant. She soon worked her way back to the kitchen, where she has 
remained until her retirement this year. Her love of cooking is 
exemplified in the menu of the Overland Hotel, which changes daily. The 
Overland Hotel is not just known for its great food, but also for its 
friendly service, further embodying the spirit of the Silver State. 
Patrons are often pleasantly surprised when Elvira herself greets them 
warmly at their table and takes their orders.
  Throughout her years owning and operating the Overland Hotel, Elvira 
has demonstrated a commitment to preserving and sharing the Basque 
tradition. I am both humbled and honored by her many years of hard work 
and am proud to call her a fellow Nevadan. Today, I ask my colleagues 
to join me in congratulating Mrs. Cenoz on her much deserved 
retirement.

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