[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20336]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO PANAGIOTIS TAKIS DADIOTIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2004

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life and 
notable accomplishments of Panagiotis Takis Dadiotis. This remarkable 
gentleman merits both our recognition and esteem as his community 
leadership and invaluable service have unproved the lives of our 
people.
  Taki Dadiotis was born in Greece in the town of Aegion where, in his 
early years, he worked with his father, a fruit vendor. His story is 
not unlike those of other Greek Americans who came to this country with 
little more than their optimism and a desire to build a better life. 
Taki arrived in the United States in 1966 and first lived in Pensacola, 
Florida, where he sold toothbrushes door-to-door to raise the fare to 
travel to Denver. When he arrived, he worked three jobs at the same 
time--at Samsonite making suitcases, at King Soopers bagging groceries 
and tending bar at the Picadilly Restaurant--to build the nest egg 
needed to open his first restaurant with his brothers Sam and Pete. He 
became a proud family man, and he and his wife Vasiliki, raised two 
wonderful children, Jim and Theoni.
  More restaurants followed including the well-known Greek Town Cafe on 
East Colfax. But Taki had a passion for politics and always found time 
to be involved in public life. His restaurant became a gathering place 
for elected officials and influential politicos as well as the site for 
countless State, local and national fundraising events. Taki had an 
irrepressible zest for life and no one was a stranger. He was open and 
genuine and possessed a refreshing lack of artifice. When people would 
try to put one over on him, he would simply mention that although he 
lacked a formal higher education, he did, in fact, graduate from the 
``University of Colfax'' and they all got the drift.
  Taki was immensely proud of his Greek heritage and preserving the 
ideals and traditions of Hellenism had great meaning for him. He 
understood that his native Hellas and his adopted homeland shared 
common values and that the greatness of America flowed from our 
fidelity to the Hellenic precept that government derives its authority 
from the people. Becoming a citizen of the United States was one of the 
greatest honors of Taki's life. His son Jim recalled how he instilled 
in his children a sense of civic responsibility and the fundamental 
importance of voting. Taki once remarked that America stands for the 
fair treatment of all people, and that providing the opportunity to be 
successful makes our country better and stronger. Taki loved this 
country and he wanted to participate in the American experience. He 
wanted to help make our country better because it gave him the 
opportunity to live the American Dream.
  But Taki never forgot who he was or where he came from. And although 
he achieved financial success, he always wanted to help, not only Greek 
immigrants, but all those who were disadvantaged. He didn't want people 
that were somehow limited or didn't have access to civic leaders and 
community resources to be forgotten, left out or lost in the shuffle. 
Taki not only had a big heart, but he was well-grounded and possessed a 
clear sense of what mattered.
  Taki Dadiotis loved his family, his friends his country, his faith 
and lived a life that is rich in consequence. Truly, we are all 
diminished by the passing of this remarkable person. There is an old 
Greek saying that ``the passion for freedom never dies.'' And while 
Taki has left our ranks, his passion for the American ideal endures in 
us. Please join me in paying tribute to the life of Panagiotis Takis 
Dadiotis, a distinguished citizen. It is the values, leadership and 
commitment he exhibited during his life that serves to build a better 
future for all Americans.

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