[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6667-S6668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING JIMMY KOIKOS

 Mr. SHELBY. Madam President, I rise today to honor the life of 
James Bill ``Jimmy'' Koikos, beloved coowner of Bessemer's famous 
Bright Star restaurant. Jimmy passed away on November 16, 2019, at the 
age of 81. I had the honor of knowing Jimmy, as I frequented the Bright 
Star many times during his 60 years of running the institution.
  Jimmy was born and raised in Bessemer, AL, just miles from the 
restaurant. He attended Arlington School and then Bessemer High School, 
where he played high school football. Jimmy then attended the 
University of Alabama until 1959, when a visit from his mother changed 
his plans. She informed him of his uncle's decision to retire, 
prompting him to move home to manage the Bright Star with his father, 
Bill Koikos. Jimmy believed in the restaurant, and he knew he wanted to 
be a part of the Bright Star's continued success.
  Nine years later, Jimmy's younger brother, Nicky, joined him in 
managing the restaurant. The two brothers went on to work side-by-side 
as owner-operators of the Bright Star until Jimmy's death. As his 
brother fondly remembered not long ago, ``He's the heart and soul of 
the restaurant, and it's going to be hard to replace that.''
  I will always remember Jimmy for his kindness and ability to make 
customers feel at home when they visited the Bright Star. He generously 
greeted each person who entered the establishment. He promised his 
father he would take care of the restaurant, and that is exactly what 
he did.
  Because of the hard work of Jimmy and others who spent their lives 
devoted to the Bright Star, it began to draw national attention. In 
2010, the James Beard Foundation honored the Bright Star with an 
America's Classics Award, distinguishing the restaurant for its 
timeless appeal and quality food that reflects the character of the 
community.
  As a huge Alabama fan, Jimmy was always ecstatic when the Bright Star 
attracted Alabama football coaches like Bear Bryant, Gene Stallings, 
and Nick Saban. He would also frequent Alabama football practices, 
bringing along some of the famous icebox pies for the coaches, players, 
and staff.
  Jimmy even went as far as to ensure that the Bright Star would be 
taken care of when he was gone, asking a younger relative, Andreas 
Anastassakis, to move to Bessemer and carry on the legacy of the Bright 
Star. Anastassakis was honored.
  Jimmy Koikos's legacy will live on through the people whose lives he 
touched at the Bright Star, in the community and throughout the entire 
State of Alabama. I offer my deepest condolences to his brother Nick, 
his

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sister Helen, and all of his loved ones. I am proud to have known him, 
and I will always think of him when passing through Bessemer to visit 
one of my very favorite places, the Bright Star.

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