[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14324]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 14324]]

                   IN RECOGNITION OF FRANK D. STELLA

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
special person


who will be honored on June 28, Frank D. Stella.
  A ballroom in Cobo Hall in my hometown of Detroit will be filled next 
Monday with people from all walks of life who have been touched by this 
remarkable man. In 1946, after serving in World War II, Frank Stella 
established The F.D. Stella Products Company, a food service and dining 
equipment design and distribution company, in Detroit. He built his 
business into one of the most successful of its kind in Michigan, and 
throughout the years he has used his success to give back to his 
community. But he is also recognized across the country and worldwide 
as a leader in the Italian-American community.
  I will not list all of the business, national, international, civic, 
fraternal, religious, veterans and social organizations that Frank 
Stella belongs to--the list is so long, my colleagues might accuse me 
of trying to filibuster. But I would like to highlight a few of the 
honors he has received because I believe that they illustrate just how 
many lives he has touched. In Metro Detroit, Frank has been recognized 
for his commitment to the community with many awards, including the 
Special Distinguished Humanitarian Award by the Arab and Chaldean 
Community Council, the Distinguished Service Award by Detroit Symphony 
Orchestra Hall, the State of Israel Bonds Award and the Summit Award by 
the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce. Frank's humanitarian works 
have also received recognition outside Michigan. He has been invested 
as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, 
received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and was given Italy's highest 
decoration by the President and Prime Minister of Italy in 1991.
  Frank Stella is a man of countless talents and immeasurable 
dedication. But Frank has something else, too, something he uses 
periodically to the benefit of the people of Metro Detroit, to wit, 
clout. While we all know people with clout, Frank's clout is unique. 
Yes, he has known Presidents, from Richard Nixon to Bill Clinton. He 
has met the Pope and Mother Teresa. He counts among his friends famous 
entertainers like Sophia Loren, John Travolta and Tony Bennett. But 
Frank Stella may be the only individual in the United States who could 
convince the ``Three Tenors,'' Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and 
Jose Carreras to make their only U.S. concert appearance this year (and 
one of only three worldwide) at Tiger Stadium in Detroit on July 17. 
This concert will not only be the rarest of treats for Metro Detroit 
music lovers, but it will also raise a significant amount of money for 
the Michigan Opera Theatre's $25 million capital campaign.
  Mr. President, Frank Stella wears many hats, including those of a 
businessman, a humanitarian, a community leader and a father. But for 
those in attendance at Cobo Hall next Monday night, the most important 
hat that Frank wears is that of friend. The invitation to the gala 
encourages people to ``Please be Frank with us.'' But, as everyone 
knows, there is only one Frank Stella. I know my colleagues will join 
me in congratulating Frank on his years of success in so many arenas, 
and in thanking him for the truly remarkable contributions he has made 
to our country.

                          ____________________