[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2254]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


          IN HONOR OF SABU J.R. SHAKE, THE PAISANO OF THE YEAR

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                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 7, 2017

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sabu J.R. Shake, the 
Paisano of the Year, for all that he has done for our community on the 
central coast of California.
  The fourth son of Isabella Shake and the late Sabu Shake, Sr. and 
brother to Benji, David, Chris, Angelo, and Tene, Sabu was born and 
grew up in Monterey, California. He is the proud father of five 
children and grandfather of two.
  From a young age, Sabu understood the value of hard work. He worked 
at the family restaurant, Old Fisherman's Grotto, as a busboy and 
worked his way up to become a maitre d', cashier, and manager. Through 
this experience, he learned all aspects of the restaurant business.
  Building on his early experience in the hospitality business, Sabu 
and his brother Chris opened The Fish Hopper restaurant on the historic 
Cannery Row in 1995. With the huge success of that restaurant, Sabu 
opened another Fish Hopper in Kona, Hawaii and, recently with Chris, 
Scales Seafood & Steaks on the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey.
  While Sabu is a pillar in the business community, he is also a 
steadfast servant to the community he calls home.
  As a past board member of the Boys & Girls Club and current member of 
the Paisano Club, Chaine des Rotisseurs, Compari Club, Sheriff's 
Advisory Council, and Italian American Cultural Center Foundation, he 
has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to community service.
  In memory of his father, Sabu Shake, Sr., Sabu organized the first 
Sabu's Safari to raise money for The Salvation Army's Monterey 
Peninsula Corps in 2007. Today, the annual gala is attended by close to 
500 people and raises thousands of dollars for The Salvation Army. To 
date, this event has raised more than $1,725,000.
  In 2012, Sabu initiated a Turkey Drive challenge by reaching out to 
friends and business colleagues for donations to purchase turkeys for 
people in need during the holidays. The Turkey Drive has become an 
annual tradition which provides nearly 1,500 turkeys every year.
  Sabu also hosts an annual Christmas Toy Drive. Through that event 
each year, nearly 300 toys are collected for The Salvation Army to give 
to children during the holidays.
  Following Hurricane Iselle, which hit Hawaii in 2014, Sabu raised 
more than $15,000 for The Salvation Army in Hawaii to aid recovery 
efforts. Later that fall, Sabu hosted the first annual Red Kettle 
Kickoff for The Salvation Army at The Fish Hopper in Kona, Hawaii and 
it was a huge success.
  Due to his incredible generosity, The Salvation Army gave Sabu the M. 
Temple Eliott award and The Others Award, which is the highest national 
award given to a civilian by The Salvation Army.
  Mr. Speaker, I know the whole U.S. House of Representatives joins me 
in honoring and congratulating Sabu J.R. Shake on being chosen as the 
Paisano of the Year.
  Thank you, Sabu, for your service to our Central Coast and nation.

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