[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11136]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO DAVIS GAYLE, JR.

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2010

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Davis Gayle, 
Jr. for his contributions to the Brooklyn community.
  Davis Gayle, Jr., the proprietor of Tropical Paradise Restaurant and 
Tropical Paradise Ballroom, is one of the most outstanding 
businesspeople in the Brooklyn area. Affectionately referred to as 
Junior, Gayle has distinguished himself and his establishment. With 
fierce entrepreneurial will and a genuine love for people, Junior has 
taken the business of restaurants to new heights and has transformed 
the Tropical Paradise franchise into a veritable cultural center.
  Tropical Paradise Restaurant and Tropical Paradise Ballroom are 
located in the heart of the Utica Avenue metropolis. The restaurant 
opened on September 8, 2001 and offers a wide range of West Indian 
dishes. In addition to being frequented by top artists, Tropical 
Paradise is now well known in the community as a nurturing ground for 
new artists. The Tropical Paradise Ballroom opened on November 8, 2008. 
The large ballroom with its mirror walls and beautiful chandeliers has 
quickly become the ``In place'' for weddings, birthday parties, and 
community events.
  Junior, American born of Honduran parentage, started in business in 
1979 working in his father's meat market. He continued to learn and 
absorb all that he could about the business from his father while 
pursuing his own career path. In 1988, he joined the New York City 
Department of Corrections. As a corrections officer for 13 years, 
Junior worked the night shift at the Anna M. Kross Center, which is the 
largest correctional facility on Rikers Island. By day, he continued to 
help his father build one of the best known meat markets in Brooklyn.
  By 1994, Junior was ready and fully prepared to take on business 
ownership for himself. Taking a leave of absence from the Department of 
Corrections, he opened the Avenue D Meat Market. This business 
continues to be one of the most successful in the area.
  His love and concern for his community was evident in1983 when Junior 
became an Auxiliary Police Officer at the 67th precinct. Now, as a 
restaurant owner, he continues to give back to the community. He does 
so by graciously supporting cultural events in the area by providing 
courtesy backstage catering. Every Christmas, Junior and Tropical 
Paradise produce a cultural show that has become a calendar event in 
the Brooklyn West Indian Community.
  As a role model, Junior willingly shares his personal credo with 
young people. ``Anything you desire in life can be achieved with hard 
work and education,'' he says. Junior's commitment to excellence and 
community service has been recognized and rewarded with several awards 
including the ``Men of Distinction Award'' from former State Senator 
Mary Markowitz in 2001 and a Community Service Award from New York 
Tabernacle Church.
  Junior is married to Joanne Gayle and is the proud father of two 
daughters, Leonie and Jasmine.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
achievements of Davis Gayle, Jr.

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