Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, June 15, 2020, Page E538 — Introduction of the RESTAURANTS Act of 2020

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A page of the Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, dated June 15, 2020, at page E538. Mr. Blumenauer introduces the RESTAURANTS Act of 2020, saying independent restaurants employ more than 11 million people and have closed or laid off most of their employees since mid-March. Mr. Gallagher recognizes Steve DeBaker and Trout Springs Winery for creating the Wisconsin Ledge American Viticultural Area. Another tribute remembers a coach and athlete from Riverside County who coached the Woodcrest Christian Mountain Bike Team, and a statement recognizes Mr. Thomas H. Rhodes on his 100th birthday. The page ends with the start of remarks by Mrs. Axne about peaceful protesters.

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“Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, June 15, 2020, Page E538 — Introduction of the RESTAURANTS Act of 2020.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-06-15-crec-2020-06-15-pt1-pge538-2-a72c61b919/, SHA-256 3fd7cba155fdfd5961e5da23a2f7dd4e13ce16377eb4597879ff4048795153bc.

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E538 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 15, 2020
to the individuals within them. He lived his life INTRODUCTION OF THE of livelihoods, hundreds of thousands of busi-
motto of ‘‘Work Hard, Play Hard, Pray Hard’’ RESTAURANTS ACT OF 2020 nesses, and the fabric of our communities is
each and every day. Bob was passionate at stake.
about training and coaching athletes and help- HON. EARL BLUMENAUER f
ing his friends and family achieve any of their OF OREGON
goals. He coached the Woodcrest Christian IN RECOGNITION OF STEVE
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mountain Bike Team and helped train anyone DEBAKER AND TROUT SPRINGS
Monday, June 15, 2020 WINERY
who asked in preparation for Ironman chal-
lenges, triathlons, half-marathons, and Cat- Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, there
alina SOK runs, to name only a few competi- is perhaps nothing more central to commu- HON. MIKE GALLAGHER
tions he loved. When Bob wasn’t racing him- nities large and small than their local res- OF WISCONSIN
self, he could be found cheering on the side- taurants. Restaurants play host to everything IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lines for anyone striving to reach their goals. from first dates to marriage proposals and
many of life’s important memories. The focal Monday, June 15, 2020
I had the pleasure of knowing Bob through
his service to Riverside County and can per- restaurant industry supports Top Chef Mas- Mr. GALLAGHER. Madam Speaker, I rise
sonally attest to the countless lives he ters, first jobs, and parents working double- today to recognize Steve DeBaker and Trout
touched. He was a great American, an es- shifts to give their children a brighter future. Springs Winery for their work in creating the
teemed leader, a respected mentor and a The COVID–19 pandemic has put all of this in Wisconsin Ledge American Viticultural Area
dedicated husband, father, and friend. I extend jeopardy. (AVA) in Northeast Wisconsin.
my heartfelt condolences to Kelli, to their chil- Since mid-March, the vast majority of inde- Steve DeBaker opened Trout Springs Win-
dren, Nathan, Heather, Adam, Travis, and pendent restaurants have closed their doors, ery in 2005, establishing it as Brown County’s
Emily, their grandchildren Rages, Winter, Har- laid off most of their employees, and are un- first winery. Trout Springs Winery is Wiscon-
ley, and Easton, and the rest of Bob’s family sure what their business model will be after sin’s only licensed fish hatchery, plant nursery,
and friends. Although he may no longer be the pandemic. While independent restaurants and winery all under one roof. After 9 suc-
with us, he will continue to have a lasting im- employ more than 11 million people, the food cessful years in the wine industry, Trout
pact on the lives of his family and community. supply chain touches every corner of the Springs Winery was honored by the Wisconsin
country and every congressional district. From Grape Growers Association as their Winery of
f
farm workers and fishermen to truck drivers the Year in 2014.
and distributors, the restaurant industry pro- An AVA is a special region designated as
HONORING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY vides a $1 trillion annual boost to the United having certain geographic and climatic fea-
OF MR. THOMAS H. RHODES States; economy, to say nothing of supporting tures required for growing wine grapes, and
tens of millions of livelihoods. the designation is often included on wine la-
The restaurant industry has been uniquely bels. Soon after opening Trout Springs Win-
HON. JOHN KATKO devastated by the COVID–19 pandemic. This ery, Steve decided to establish the Wisconsin
OF NEW YORK is particularly true of independent establish- Ledge as an AVA. After 4,000 hours of dedi-
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ments that account for more than three-quar- cated research, numerous submissions to the
Monday, June 15, 2020 ters of all restaurants and bars in the United Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau,
States. The restaurant sector is the top con- and some assistance from the Niagara Es-
Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to tributor to unemployment rolls across America. carpment Resource Network with the GIS
honor the life and service of Mr. Thomas H. In April alone, 5.5 million restaurant workers mapping process, Steve and Trout Springs
Rhodes as he celebrates his 100th birthday on lost their jobs, accounting for 27 percent of achieved their goal of establishing the Wis-
June 18th. Throughout his life, Mr. Rhodes total job losses in the month. Some of these consin Ledge as an AVA.
has demonstrated exemplary patriotism jobs are coming back but many will not return The Wisconsin Ledge AVA sits on the Niag-
through his service in World War II, and long- without assistance.The National Bureau of ara Escarpment, a land feature in Wisconsin
standing devotion to his family and commu- Economic Research predicts that only 15 per- that stretches for more than 650 miles, cre-
nity. cent of restaurants will be able to stay open if ated millions of years ago. It touches 11 dif-
During World War II, Mr. Rhodes proudly the COVID–19 pandemic lasts six months. ferent counties in Northeast Wisconsin and
served his country as a U.S. Marine and par- The RESTAURANTS Act would establish a contains soil and a climate ideal for growing
ticipated in several major conflicts including $120 billion restaurant revitalization fund at the grapes. With 22 bonded wineries within its
the battles of Pearl Harbor, Midway, Peleliu, Department of Treasury. Funding would be scope and 3,800 square miles of land, the
New Britain, and New Guinea. After the war, available to food service or drinking establish- Wisconsin Ledge has become the 12th largest
he returned to Central New York to continue ments that are not publicly traded or part of a AVA in the world. It has grown into a tourist
his service at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, chain with 20 or more locations doing busi- destination for visitors from around the world,
New York. Following completion of his military ness under the same name. The grant values leading to an annual agritourism increase of
service, Mr. Rhodes was honorably dis- would cover the difference between revenues nearly two million tourists and over $50 million
charged as a Sergeant. Today, he remains an from 2019 and projected revenues through in revenue. Steve’s commitment and work to
active member of the Marine Corps League, 2020. The first 14 days of the grant’s avail- developing the Wisconsin Ledge as an AVA
an organization that aims to serve commu- ability is only available to restaurants with an- has legitimized the Northeast Wisconsin as a
nities nationwide, preserve the traditions of the nual revenues of $1.5 million or fewer, ensur- grape growing region.
U.S. Marine Corps, and strengthen bonds be- ing that the smallest restaurants are Madam Speaker, I am privileged to honor
tween former servicemembers and their fami- prioritized. Additionally, the legislation includes Steve DeBaker and Trout Springs Winery as
lies. administrative funding toward outreach and the birthplace of the Wisconsin Ledge Amer-
Outside of public service, Mr. Rhodes is engagement to restaurants owned and oper- ican Viticultural Area. His dedication and posi-
known for his commitment to his family. He ated by women, Veterans, and people of tive contributions to the Wisconsin agricultural
was devoted to his late wife, Bridget ‘‘Peggy’’ color. A study on this proposal found that the industry make Northeast Wisconsin proud.
Rhodes, and remains a dedicated father to fund would generate at least $183 billion in f
their four children, and proud grandfather to primary benefits and $65 billion in secondary
12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. benefits—more than double the amount of the HONORING KAMERON
Active in his community, Mr. Rhodes regularly fund. MIDDLEBROOKS AS THE IOWAN
appears in Fayetteville and Manlius parades In the past three months, Congress has OF THE WEEK
and is a life-long member of the Catholic demonstrated the political will to pass more
HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS
Church and the Knights of Columbus. than $3 trillion of relief to most sectors of the
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the economy—the House of Representatives just OF IOWA
House to join me in recognizing Mr. Thomas passed an additional $3 trillion of relief. There IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. Rhodes’s 100th birthday. Mr. Rhodes’s life were broad-based programs and there was
has been one marked by admirable devotion targeted relief for specific industries. Yet res- Monday, June 15, 2020
to his family and country. I wish him health taurants have not been a recipient of any tar- Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today as
and happiness in the future. geted relief. We can’t afford not to act. Millions tens of thousands of peaceful protesters are

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