[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22971]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING CONNIE VALANOS' 90TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, September 28, 2008

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues 
to join me in wishing a happy 90th birthday to Connie Valanos, who has 
become a Capitol Hill institution as the owner of the landmark Monocle 
Restaurant.
  Connie and Helen founded the Monocle in 1960 as a young couple. Over 
the years, leaders from Congress have regularly gathered at this fine 
restaurant to relax with their friends and colleagues. It has often 
been the scene of quiet discussions over legislative strategy and 
resolving differences between Democrats and Republicans.
  Many a major problem has been solved over a meal at the Monocle. Many 
a friendship was made at these sessions. Politics is at its best when 
people solve problems by way of compromise. Connie has always known 
that Democrats and Republicans coming together and becoming friends 
leads to the best of compromise.
  Madam Speaker, friends from the House of Representatives and the 
Senate will be gathering on his birthday October 6 to celebrate the 
great success of the nearly 50-year-old Capitol Hill restaurant. Please 
join me in wishing Connie and his entire family a great birthday and 
many more years of success.

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