[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING EARNEST WESLEY DEMPSEY, SR.

  (Mr. ONDER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ONDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Earnest Wesley Dempsey, 
Sr. He was a restaurateur, veteran, and a pillar of the St. Charles 
County community.
  Ernie spent years of his life serving in the Navy before becoming an 
active member of the VFW post 2866, where he advocated for his fellow 
veterans.
  In St. Charles, Ernie was locally famous for running Pio's 
Restaurant. He started there as a manager, and his hard work ethic paid 
off when he took over the business.
  Ernie was a dedicated leader in his community, serving as the charter 
member of the Optimist Club and as a board member of the Boys & Girls 
Club of St. Charles County.
  In 2019, he was honored with the Key to the City of St. Charles and 
was named Restaurateur of the Year.
  Ernie contributed to everything that makes Missouri great, and he 
will be dearly missed.

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