[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14272]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 80TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2005

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, early in the twentieth century, Frank Pepe, 
an Italian immigrant living in New Haven, created the first American 
pizza by putting tomatoes on top of old bake-shop bread. The creation 
was so popular that he opened America's first pizzeria on Wooster 
Street--and so the local legend of Pepe's pizza is recounted. Today, I 
am proud to stand and join the thousands of Pepe's fans across the 
Nation in extending my sincere congratulations to Frank Pepe Pizzeria 
Napoletana and the Pepe Family as they celebrate their 80th 
Anniversary--a remarkable milestone for this New Haven institution!
  When Frank and Filomena opened their pizzeria in 1925, pizza was not 
considered a delicacy or a treat that you found on every street 
corner--in fact, it was a peasant meal. With hard work, countless 
hours, and dedication the Pepe's created a successful business that 
carried themselves and their extended family through the Great 
Depression and allowed them to raise their two children, Elizabeth and 
Serafina (Betty and Sarah). Throughout the years, Pepe's popularity 
grew outside the Italian-American community of Wooster Street and for 
four generations enthusiastic customers have returned with their own 
families. The excitement and loyalty of their customers has never 
wavered--a truth that is reflected in the long lines of anxious patrons 
that are a constant on Wooster Street.
  In fact, Pepe's has even inspired other pizza entrepreneurs, the 
first of which was Frank's nephew Sal Consiglio who opened his own 
restaurant, Sally's, just steps from his uncle's restaurant. Years 
later another former employee opened Randy's Wooster Street Pizza Shop.
  When Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana first opened in 1925, it was the 
dream of Frank and his wife Filomena to have a successful neighborhood 
business where friends and neighbors could gather. Frank and Filomena 
could have only dreamed of the success their small business has come to 
be. Four generations later, the business is still run by family and the 
walls are still adorned with family photos as well as those of Bill 
Murray, Meryl Streep, and Matthew Broderick--just a few of the stars 
who have dined at Pepe's in the past. Their pizza is legendary and the 
ambiance is unforgettable--enjoyed by neighbors and celebrities alike. 
However, it is not just the pizza that make Pepe's such a special part 
of our community. It is the history and community spirit of Frank Pepe 
and his family that has made it a New Haven landmark.
  Today, as they mark their 80th anniversary, it is not just a 
celebration of a successful family business, but of a thriving 
community treasure. It is with the greatest pleasure that I rise today 
to join Frank Pepe's children, Elizabeth and Serafina, grandchildren, 
Anthony, Francis, Lisa, Bernadette, Genevieve, Jennifer, and Gary, as 
well as their family, friends, and extended family of customers and 
fans as they celebrate this very special occasion.

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