[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF ROBERT A. LUCAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD NORCROSS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 23, 2016

  Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my sincere 
condolences and to honor the extraordinary life of Robert A. Lucas, 
owner of the famous Donkey's Place in Camden, New Jersey.
  Born in Camden, raised in Medford, and a graduate of Rancocas Valley 
Regional High School, Robert was truly a son of New Jersey. By the 
1970s, he started running Donkey's Place, a bar opened in 1943 by his 
father, Leon, a former Olympic boxer. Donkey's still has a simple menu, 
consisting of cheesesteaks served on a poppy seed Kaiser roll from Del 
Buono's in Haddon Heights and a no-frills bar, just the way Robert 
liked it.
  Donkey's is an institution in South Jersey, serving everyone from 
factory workers in its early days, to neighborhood residents, police 
officers, and city workers. Highlighted on the CNN television show 
Parts Unknown, chef and world traveler Anthony Bourdain said of 
Donkey's, ``the best cheesesteaks in the area might well come from New 
Jersey'' and it deserves to be a ``national landmark.''
  A devoted family man, Robert even met his future wife of 39 years, 
Elsie, at Donkey's. It was love at first sight and Elsie remembers 
dreaming about her future husband that very night. Robert and Elsie had 
4 children, Robert, Jr., Joseph, Lisa Bystryzycki, and Luis Mendoza, 
and 2 grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, Robert A. Lucas was an incredible man, dedicated to his 
family, the South Jersey community, and his business. He leaves behind 
an indomitable work ethic and one of the finest establishments in 
Camden. I join with his family, friends and all of New Jersey in 
celebrating the life of this extraordinary man.

                          ____________________