[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 38 (Monday, March 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING RAMOLA AND THE LATE RAMESH ``BOB'' MOTWANI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 4, 2019

  Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today to honor Ramola 
and her late husband Bob Motwani for their integral contributions to 
the City of Fort Lauderdale and to congratulate them on being 
recognized as ``Honored Founders'' of Fort Lauderdale.
  After hearing that the city was flourishing due to large numbers of 
spring breakers, Ramola and Bob moved to Fort Lauderdale and purchased 
the Merrimac Hotel in 1986. However, the city's crackdown on spring 
break that same year led to a sharp decline in business, making it 
difficult to support their family.
  In the face of this adversity, Bob set out to find new guests from 
around the world and began working with local beach committees. These 
committees sought infrastructure and other improvements that would 
attract more visitors to the beach. This hard work and determination 
paid off, attracting more visitors, businesses, and developers to the 
area. Their success allowed them to purchase additional properties for 
redevelopment and make an even bigger impact on the city.
  Following Bob's untimely passing at the age of 47, Ramola took the 
reins managing their properties and raising their two sons. Ramola has 
continued the family's active civic engagement in beach development and 
redevelopment issues, including securing sponsors for projects the city 
couldn't afford on its own.
  Madam Speaker, we have only just scratched the surface of the myriad 
contributions the Motwanis have made to revitalize Fort Lauderdale and 
turn it into the thriving city we have today. Congratulations to the 
Motwanis on this well-deserved recognition.

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