[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13580]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING RUSSELL SALVATORE AS 2013 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2013

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr. Russell 
Salvatore as the Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce recognizes him as 
their 2013 Citizen of the Year. Russ's professional and civic 
activities demonstrate his commitment to making a difference in the 
lives of individuals and a positive impact in his community.
  Beginning as a young boy working for his father, Russ exemplifies the 
American ideals of hard work and determination. In 1967, Russ found a 
small hot dog stand for sale on Transit Road. He purchased the stand 
and served as the cook, dishwasher, and waiter himself. Eventually, he 
expanded the modest establishment into the landmark that is now 
Salvatore's Italian Gardens.
  In 1995, a fire destroyed Salvatore's Italian Gardens. Although 
Russ's next project, a hotel, was already underway, Russ refocused the 
efforts of the construction crews from the hotel project to rebuilding 
the restaurant. Once the restaurant was back in business, he hosted a 
dinner for all the volunteer firemen who helped save his Salvatore's 
Italian Gardens. Work soon resumed at the Garden Place Hotel. The 
finished product is a beautiful one hundred and sixty-six room facility 
complete with a courtyard, fitness room, meeting rooms and twenty-five 
luxurious suites.
  In 2006, Trocaire College met with Russ to discuss their plan to 
build a satellite campus in the suburbs to bolster a struggling 
hospitality program. Enthusiastic about the project, Russ partnered 
with Trocaire to open the Russell J. Salvatore School of Hospitality at 
Trocaire to the Sisters of Mercy in 2008.
  Russ's great vision and drive led him to open another restaurant 
adjacent to Salvatore's Grand Hotel, Russell's Steaks, Chops, and More. 
The restaurant and hotel have received numerous honors and awards since 
their opening. Russ is known for greeting his customers himself, 
providing a personal touch and top notch service. Russ's latest 
endeavor is his new cooking show ``Come Dine With Me,'' which showcases 
local chefs and restaurants.
  A dedicated philanthropist, one of Russ's proudest accomplishments 
was the creation of the ``Patriots to Heroes Park.'' Located on Transit 
Road, the park is home to memorials of 9/11 and Flight 3407, tragedies 
that deeply affected Western New Yorkers. Russ is a generous supporter 
of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Variety Club of Buffalo, 
Juvenile Diabetes of Buffalo, Heritage House, Women's and Children's 
Hospital, the Italian American Federation and the local school 
districts of Lancaster, Williamsville, Amherst and Clarence. Through 
the Russell J. Salvatore Foundation, he supports Kids Escaping Drugs, 
the Make A Wish Program, the Food Bank of Western New York and Meals on 
Wheels Organization. His annual ``Ham-a-Lot'' event fed almost 1,000 
families this past Easter.
  In 2012, Russ worked with Olmstead Conservatory to honor fallen 
heroes of the War of 1812 by funding the replacement of two marker 
willow trees in Delaware Park. During Erie County Medical Center's 
drive to improve patient relations, he donated new television sets for 
the entire hospital, which included an agreement that no patient should 
have to pay for television service again. This past year, he bought out 
the remaining tickets to a Buffalo Bills game to avoid a local 
blackout.
  Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to recognize the 
great works of Russ Salvatore. His philanthropic spirit and dedication 
to Western New York is inimitable, and I congratulate him upon his 
receipt of the 2013 Citizen of the Year Award from the Cheektowaga 
Chamber of Commerce.

                          ____________________