[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20577]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BOB PAGANO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2002

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I take this 
opportunity to recognize the life of Mr. Bob Pagano of Pueblo, 
Colorado. Mr. Pagano recently passed away this September from 
complications during surgery and, as his family mourns their loss, I 
would like to pay tribute to his life and the exceptional way in which 
he lived.
  Mr. Pagano grew up in Pueblo, Colorado and graduated from South High 
School in 1975. He is perhaps best known for his ability as a cook and, 
as a consequence, he owned several restaurants throughout Pueblo and 
Colorado Springs. Following a rich family tradition, the Pagano family 
began cooking sausage grinders about 53 years ago, with Bob assisting 
the family by peeling vegetables. Over the years, Mr. Pagano began to 
develop what would become a lifelong passion for cooking and qualified 
himself as a master of many types of popular cuisines. As an adult, he 
began to use his culinary expertise and his natural talent for business 
to expand the family's Pass Key restaurant to five locations in Pueblo, 
Pueblo West, and Colorado Springs.
  Mr. Pagano was famous throughout Southern Colorado for his cooking 
ability, but even more so for his friendly and outgoing personality. 
Bob was always kind and generous to his staff and co-workers felt as if 
they were a part of the Pagano family. Customers who frequented the 
restaurants would often mention the warm and cordial service they 
received along with their meals as one of the distinctive qualities 
separating Mr. Pagano's restaurants from all the others.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I recognize Bob Pagano 
before this body of Congress and this nation for the countless 
contributions he has made toward the betterment of Pueblo and the 
surrounding communities. I extend my sincere condolences to his wife 
Karen, his parents Mary Jo and John, and his children Justin, Andrew, 
Brian and Candice. Mr. Pagano was a truly kind and generous individual 
and his presence will be deeply missed throughout the entire community, 
although, the spirit with which he lived life will continue in his 
family and friends and all the lives he touched.

                          ____________________