[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17116]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO NICK FRANKOS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 22, 2007

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Madam Seaker, I rise today to honor a pillar of the 
community of Warren, Ohio, who recently passed away. There is a well-
known saying which maintains that, 100 years from now, it will not 
matter what kind of car a person drove or how big their bank account 
was. The saying affirms that in 100 years, the world may be a better 
place because of what one person did to help inspire and uplift a 
child. Very few people in the town of Warren, Ohio, had as profound an 
impact on so many young lives as Nick Frankos did. A 1943 graduate of 
Warren G. Harding High School, Frankos was an avid supporter of Warren 
City Schools and their affiliated athletic teams. Affectionately dubbed 
``Uncle Nick,'' he had a paternal, compassionate quality that allowed 
him to form lifelong bonds with Warren student-athletes and to 
transform the lives of many of Warren's youth.
  In 1956, Frankos opened his much-acclaimed Buena Vista Restaurant, 
famous around town for serving ``Uncle Nick's Greek Fried Chicken.'' 
Not only did the restaurant provide delicious meals, but it also served 
as a popular hangout for local student athletes, coaches, and fans. 
There were few, if any, high school football coaches who did not 
frequent the restaurant and who did not know Frankos on a first-name 
basis. Last year, Frankos was honored by the Warren City Council for 50 
years of business excellence in the town.
  In addition to his business endeavors, Frankos also served on the 
Warren City School Board for 12 years. Frankos was notable for his 
strong support of high school athletics and for his determination to 
provide local youth with proper athletic facilities. In particular, 
Frankos was instrumental in securing support for the construction of a 
new press box at Warren's Mollenkopf Stadium and for the replacement of 
part of the stadium's seating area. These improvements serve as a 
remembrance of the staunch support Frankos gave to Warren high school 
athletics throughout his life.
  Madam Speaker, when ``Uncle Nick'' Frankos passed away on May 22 at 
the age of 82, the community of Warren, Ohio lost more than just a 
businessman. Many local athletes, coaches, and fans lost a friend. The 
Warren School Board lost a tireless advocate, and the city of Warren 
lost a dedicated and caring public servant. Most importantly, the 
area's youth lost a devoted mentor and role model. It is for his 
contribution to the youth of Warren, Ohio that ``Uncle Nick'' Frankos 
should be remembered.

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