[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7916-7917]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             GEORGE KALLAS

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, my State of Alaska is small in 
population but huge in territory, warmth and generosity. In a State 
with a population of somewhat over 655,000 people, whose largest 
community, the municipality of Anchorage, has a population of about 
275,000, the good deeds of people stand out.
  The high level of civic engagement exhibited by the people of Alaska 
is impressive. Many Alaskans begin their morning with Rotary, take 
lunch at the Chamber of Commerce, the World Affairs Council or 
Commonwealth North, and spend their evenings supporting one of our many 
cultural, charitable and civic organizations.
  Alaskans, whether life long residents of the State as I am, or people 
transplanted to The Great Land, like George Kallas, play an active role 
in the life of our communities. The difference between a sourdough and 
a cheechako, a newcomer, is not measured in longevity of residence. It 
is measured in contributions to the community.

[[Page 7917]]

  Last Saturday, I joined with Alaskans in celebrating the life of 
George Kallas who passed away at the age of 81 on April 19, 2005. 
George Kallas came to Alaska in 1971. He was a native of Kansas City 
and will be buried there. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a 
member of American Legion Post 28.
  George's business, the Beef and Sea Restaurant, on the Old Seward 
Highway was a favored dining spot of Alaskans and visitors alike. 
Located close to the heart of Alaska's oil and gas industry, it offered 
a touch of Alaska hospitality and a taste of Alaska crab to thousands 
who came to develop the Prudhoe Bay oilfield and the Trans Alaska 
Pipeline System. George participated in the growth of Anchorage from 
small town to cosmopolitan metropolis. He operated the restaurant until 
1999 when he retired.
  At Christmas George opened the restaurant to feed all of those who 
cared to come free of charge. At least 1,500 people, probably more, 
took advantage of this wonderful Christmas present.
  He was not merely a successful small businessperson, but a leader of 
the small business community. George was proudest of his leadership 
role in the Alaska Coalition of Small Business which advocated for the 
interests of small business on issues from local to national 
importance. He was also an active member of the Holy Transfiguration 
Greek Orthodox Church.
  George was what we in Alaska refer to as a ``super voter,'' someone 
who never missed the opportunity to vote. Even in his final months as a 
resident of the extended care facility at Providence Hospital, he 
insisted that he be brought to the polls to perform his duty as a 
citizen of Alaska and the United States.
  I will miss George Kallas. Alaska will miss George Kallas.

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