[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25194]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO KOMNINOS ``GUS'' KARELLAS

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, the other matter I need to speak to today is 
a very sad note. There is a funeral going on in my hometown of Mexico, 
MO, today, as we speak, for a very good friend of mine, Komninos 
``Gus'' Karellas. There is a celebration of his life in a community 
which has mourned him in the last several days.
  You heard on the floor from my colleague, Senator Talent, words about 
Gus, a tremendous American success story. He was an immigrant from 
Greece. He came here with nothing 40 years ago. He started out working 
for others. He started out in California, came to Iowa, then Columbia, 
MO, and then moved with his wife to Mexico, MO, in 1970, to work in a 
steakhouse. A year later, they bought that steakhouse.
  For the last 33 years, Gus Karellas's G&D Steakhouse has been the 
place to go for good steaks. I know it because I have been one of the 
frequent visitors there.
  I came to know Gus as the community of Mexico, MO, came to know Gus. 
What a warm, genuine human being Gus Karellas was. He was a leader in 
his community. He helped charities like Boys Town. But he also did a 
wonderful thing in the community because he reached out to young people 
with difficulties, gave them opportunities as busboys and other jobs in 
his restaurant.
  Unfortunately, the allegation in the police report was that it was 
one of those, or maybe several of those, who murdered him several 
nights ago to take the receipts from his business. We do not know what 
was in their troubled minds, but I can tell you that the community has 
lost a man of great dedication, great service.
  Gus was a wonderful father. One of his sons, Nick Karellas, serves as 
a legislative assistant in my office. Another son, Andy, serves as a 
legislative assistant to Senator Talent. Jim Talent and I see every day 
the work ethic, the commitment, the dedication that Gus instilled in 
his children. He is a man who has left a very large mark on his 
community, and he has left a legacy that all of us can admire and 
recognize.
  In the Omnibus appropriations bill that we will be passing today, 
there is a grant for a trail at Lakeview Park in Missouri. I suggest 
that the city fathers of my hometown consider naming that in honor of 
Gus Karellas to recognize not only his accomplishments but his 
contributions to the community and to his family.
  I can only say that our thoughts and prayers are with the Karellas 
family. We join with the community in saluting his life, the great role 
model he was, the good he did for the community, and we will miss him 
sorely. They will also be in our thoughts and prayers.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Roberts). The Senator from Virginia is 
recognized.
  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in morning 
business for as much time as I may consume.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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