[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 191 (Monday, November 1, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 435--HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VERSAILLES, 
         KNOWN AS ``THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS CUBAN RESTAURANT''

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself and Mr. Rubio) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 435

       Whereas Versailles, located in Miami, Florida, is known as 
     ``The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant'';
       Whereas Versailles was originally founded in 1971 by Felipe 
     Valls Sr., a Cuban immigrant;
       Whereas, soon after opening its doors in 1971, Versailles 
     became the gathering place for Cuban exiles located in Miami;
       Whereas Versailles has been a central spot for notable 
     visitors from across the United States to show their support 
     for the Cuban people;
       Whereas Versailles has been home to many peaceful protests, 
     including large scale demonstrations like the one that 
     occurred in July 2021 in support of the people of Cuba 
     protesting the harshness of the current regime in that 
     country;
       Whereas Versailles hosted seas of Cuban-Americans 
     celebrating the death of longtime dictator Fidel Castro in 
     November 2016, which led more than 60 TV crews and other 
     forms of media to come and witness a piece of Cuban and 
     Cuban-American history;
       Whereas the mirrors in the main hall of Versailles, 
     designed by Juan Perez-Cruz, a decorator with a passion for 
     French styles and uncle of singer Pitbull, appear to make the 
     restaurant goers multiply;
       Whereas Versailles is described by many residents of Miami-
     Dade County as being a cultural hub for Cuban-Americans and 
     Miamians, which is evidenced by the fact that whenever a 
     sports team in Miami wins a national title or accomplishes 
     something extraordinary, there will be crowds of people 
     outside of Versailles and on Calle Ocho, banging pots and 
     pans together and chanting in celebration;
       Whereas Versailles is working with the History of Miami 
     Museum and Exile Books to collect memories and stories from 
     individuals in connection with the restaurant over the past 
     50 years in order to showcase the cultural significance of 
     Versailles;
       Whereas the legacy of Felipe Valls Sr. continues with the 
     Valls Group, which has 2,000 employees and owns the 9 La 
     Carretas in South Florida, MesaMar in Coral Gables, Casa Cuba 
     in South Miami, and Casa Juancho, a longtime Spanish 
     restaurant in Little Havana;
       Whereas the Valls family worked with the locally founded 
     grocery store chain Sedano's to employ over 400 Versailles 
     staff members while Versailles and all of the La Carreta 
     locations were closed in 2020 during the Coranavirus Disease 
     2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; and
       Whereas the Valls family has participated in charitable 
     work throughout the Miami community for many organizations, 
     including the American Cancer Society and Amigos for Kids: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the 50th anniversary of Versailles, known as the 
     ``The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant'', as a moment to 
     celebrate Cuban heritage and the innovation of the people of 
     South Florida;
       (2) notes that the story of Versailles, being created by 
     Cuban immigrants as a cultural hub for Cuban-Americans and 
     Miamians, is unique to the United States; and
       (3) commends Versailles for 50 years of operation and 
     cultural contributions to Miami and the great State of 
     Florida.

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