[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4665]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     TRIBUTE TO MR. FILIPPO MILONE

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Filippo Milone, a well-known community leader who was recently given 
the Republican Congressional Committee's Businessman of the Year Award. 
Filippo runs the highly successful and well regarded Pillars restaurant 
in Mobile, Alabama which serves some of the best cuisine not only in 
the state, but in the entire country. This award is truly a testament 
to Filippo's reputation in the Mobile business community and to the 
high esteem in which he is held by his peers. I want to congratulate 
Filippo and his wife of 27 years, Geltrude, and offer my thanks for 
their dedication to the city of Mobile.
  Born in Italy in 1938, Filippo came to the United States after 
fulfilling his duties in the Italian military. After traveling to 
various parts of the country, Filippo chose to settle in the Mobile 
area to establish a business and raise a family. Calling upon his 
extensive culinary training, Filippo opened the Pillars restaurant in 
1975 with the idea of creating a unique dining experience for 
customers. Today, the Pillars restaurant continues to thrive. Filippo 
has 40 employees and enjoys the satisfaction that comes with creating 
opportunities for others. He is active in the community as a member of 
many local organizations, including the Restaurant Association, the 
Chef's Association, and Lion's Club. Indeed, Filippo's many activities 
truly entitle him to the recognition that comes with being named a 
Businessman of the Year.
  Again, I would like to congratulate Filippo and his entire family on 
this award. I have had the pleasure of eating at the Pillars Restaurant 
on numerous occasions and can honestly say I have never been 
disappointed. Both the service and food are always first class, and 
being in the company of someone with such a deep sense of community is 
always a pleasure. His commitment to the Mobile area and to Alabama 
should be commended.

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