[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11772]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  HONORING THE BRIGHT STAR RESTAURANT

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I wish to honor the Bright Star 
Restaurant, one of my favorites in Bessemer, AL. The Bright Star 
celebrated its 100th anniversary last week on May 2, 2007.
  I know from personal experience that the Bright Star has endured for 
a century due to its excellent menu. Though the restaurant has grown 
from a cafe that served only 25 people to its current size, seating 330 
people, the quality of the food has not changed a bit. I attribute this 
fact to Bill and Pete Koikos, the family-owned restaurant's patriarchs. 
Bill and Pete immigrated to the United States from Greece in 1923. Two 
years later they purchased ownership interest in the restaurant. Since 
1966, Bill's sons Jim and Nick have owned and operated the business 
very successfully.
  Jim and Nick Koikos are hard workers who are nearly always in the 
restaurant greeting customers as they walk through the door. Jim and 
Nick's dedication to keeping customers happy, along with their 
wonderful menu, account for the Bright Star's longevity.
  Although the menu has a wide assortment of delicious dishes, I am 
partial to the seafood, which is always fresh from the gulf. My 
personal favorite is the excellent Greek snapper, thought their special 
gumbo, not to mention the lemon pie, are also stand-outs.
  For the last 100 years, the Bright Star has been one of the best 
restaurants in the South. The emphasis on quality food and service has 
not changed since the restaurant was founded in 1907, and I sincerely 
congratulate the Koikos brothers on their anniversary and wish them 
continued success.

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