[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16257]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING MR. ABEBAW ``MUNA'' MERNE FEKI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2010

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the passing of 
an esteemed leader in the Ethiopian American community and prominent 
entrepreneur, beloved to family and friends.
  Born on March 31, 1962, Mr. Abebaw Merne Feki, affectionately known 
as ``Muna,'' was raised in the Bole-Kotebe neighborhood of Addis Ababa, 
Ethiopia.
  Following the American dream like many before him, he immigrated to 
America in 1991. Muna was a small business owner and entrepreneur at 
heart, buying a 7-Eleven in San Jose, California, which is home to a 
large Ethiopian community. Muna introduced Ethiopian products to the 
store, becoming the first ever franchise location to stock such 
merchandise. Recognizing the needs of the local community, his cultural 
infusion brought the business great success.
  To serve the large Ethiopian community in San Jose, Muna and his wife 
opened Zeni's Restaurant, offering authentic Ethiopian-style cuisine. 
Zeni's Restaurant remains immensely popular among both Ethiopians and 
non-Ethiopians, considered by many to be the best Ethiopian restaurant 
in the Bay Area.
  Not only did Muna establish a flourishing restaurant, he also created 
a warm and inclusive community environment for people of all 
backgrounds. Sharing his love of Ethiopian history and culture with all 
who entered, Muna made Zeni's Restaurant a central gathering point for 
the Ethiopian community in San Jose. Through such accomplishments he 
became an ambassador of the Ethiopian community.
  As a patron of his restaurant, Muna and I became friends. He spoke of 
Ethiopian life and culture, and the struggles of Ethiopian and 
Ethiopian Americans. As a result of his efforts, I was inspired to 
found and chair the Congressional Caucus on Ethiopia and Ethiopian 
Americans, which seeks to support and advance the interests of 
Ethiopian and Ethiopian Americans across our nation.
  I stand here today in great thanks for, and in high regard of, Muna's 
entrepreneurial talents and civic involvement. Muna's legacy will 
continue to serve generations of Ethiopian Americans. It is my hope 
that his legacy inspires others to support their own communities and 
educate others about the diverse history and traditions of their 
cultures. He will be missed greatly by the Silicon Valley community.

                          ____________________