[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15528]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       IN RECOGNITION OF PASTABIL
    ITIES RESTAURANT AND THEIR OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY 
                             REVITALIZATION

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize 
Wilmington's Pastabilities for its outstanding commitment to community 
service. The National Restaurant Association has recognized the 
restaurant as a finalist in their Restaurant Neighbor Award. The 
national distinction rewards restaurants for outstanding philanthropic 
work.
  In his State of the Union address earlier this year, President Bush 
unveiled the USA Freedom Corps, challenging every American to commit at 
least 2 years of their life to serving their community and their 
country. Pastabilities, in Wilmington, Delaware has exceeded the 
President's call to action. Owner Luigi Vitrone recognizes the 
importance of neighborhood revitalization and preservation. He and his 
staff have spent years dedicating energy and resources to improving 
their community. The results have been outstanding.
  Founder of the Little Italy Neighborhood Restaurant Association, 
LINA, Mr. Vitrone spearheaded the effort to save Wilmington's ``Little 
Italy'' from an economic downturn. Having lived and worked in the 
neighborhood for over a decade, the personal investment ran deep.
  Established in 1997, LINA has raised $4.8 million from public, state 
and private sources to help rejuvenate the neighborhood. The money 
raised has been used to add new light posts, brick sidewalks, banners, 
and flowerpots and to make important structural changes that make the 
neighborhood more handicapped accessible. Luigi Vitrone has 
successfully restored Delaware's ``Little Italy'' to the beautiful, 
unique, authentic community it once was.
  Volunteer service is vital to the improvement of our community, and 
the Pastabilities family has lent their time and energy at every turn. 
Local businesses such as this one serve as role models for citizen 
action and make Delaware shine. I am proud to put a spotlight on one of 
the State's premier businesses.
  I commend Pastabilities for their fantastic culinary work and thank 
Luigi Vitrone for his leadership and commitment to strengthening the 
community. This most recent honor bestowed upon the restaurant mirrors 
the pride felt by the neighborhood.

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