[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 112 (Monday, July 8, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE LIFE OF NARSAI MICHAEL DAVID

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 2024

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of an 
extraordinary American, Narsai Michael David.
  Narsai David, the child of Assyrian immigrants, was born in South 
Bend, Indiana on June 26, 1936 and grew up in Turlock, California. He 
died in his home in Berkeley on June 20, 2024 from injuries suffered as 
a result of a fall.
  Narsai David graduated from Turlock High School and the University of 
California, Berkeley, where he studied math and pre-med. He worked in a 
restaurant during college and after owning a printing company for two 
years, he worked at a restaurant in Berkeley where he eventually became 
a partner. In 1970 he launched a catering business and one of his first 
clients, rock impresario Bill Graham, introduced him to many of the 
legends of the era.
  In 1976 Narsai opened his eponymous restaurant in Kensington, 
California, and was in the vanguard of the food revolution of the 
1970's. He also owned a vineyard in the Napa Valley where he produced 
Cuvee and Cabernet Sauvignon.
  Narsai David's inviting smile, warm voice and passion for food and 
travel made him a widely beloved and highly regarded writer of a 
cooking column in the San Francisco Chronicle and commentator on KCBS 
radio and television for many years.
  Reminiscing about Narsai, his colleagues at KCBS remember his 
signature bow ties, and how he would begin with ``I'm Narsai David to 
say . . . .'' and launch into his news reports. He never said anything 
negative on the radio or television about a restaurant or chef, and 
when he was hosting a dinner he would tinkle his fork on a glass and 
say ``good evening, good evening and a very good evening,'' all with a 
sparkle in his eye.
  Narsai was a generous philanthropist who was affiliated with the 
Assyrian Aid Society of America and Alameda County's Meals on Wheels 
program. His pride in being an Assyrian American was evident to all, 
and his gourmet enterprises all reflected the culture.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in 
honoring the life of a great and good man, Narsai David, and in 
extending our most sincere condolences to his wife Venus and his son 
Daniel. We are a better Nation because of this exceptional man who was 
a dear friend and mentor to me.

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