[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18417]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                IN TRIBUTE TO LARRY AND RALPH CIMMARUSTI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, December 30, 2012

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to my good friends, 
entrepreneurs, patriots, and philanthropists Larry and Ralph 
Cimmarusti.
  With the backing and support of their parents, Los Angeles natives 
Pat and Ann Cimmarusti, brothers Larry and Ralph opened their first 
eatery 40 years ago. They were fresh out of junior college.
  The first restaurant was actually an open-fronted Hollywood, 
California, vegetable market purchased for $5,000 that was converted 
into an Italian deli. Frequented by the stars that lived in the 
Hollywood Hills, the deli thrived and provided their start into the 
restaurant world.
  From this humble beginning, the Cimmarusti brothers launched 
Cimmarusti Holdings, LLC. Their first major success was to build one of 
the largest Burger King franchisees in the United States, with 
operations boasting annual sales near $250 million.
  Building on their success, the brothers branched out into casual 
dining to become one of the largest franchisees of Tony Roma's 
Restaurants in Southern California. Last but not least, the company 
purchased the Original Roadhouse Grill chain, another casual dining 
eatery.
  The skills learned in building new restaurants provided a logical 
entry into real estate development. Cimmarusti Holdings owns 
approximately 15 properties in the western United States, including 
office buildings and retail strip centers, and has a construction 
company active in restaurant/retail center development.
  Despite their size and success, Larry and Ralph still look at 
Cimmarusti Holdings as a mom and pop operation. They also believe in 
the importance of community and giving back.
  Larry and Ralph were key contributors to the Ronald Reagan 
Presidential Library and the names Lawrence and Ralph Cimmarusti are 
engraved in one of the more prominent locations at the library. At its 
opening, the Cimmarusti brothers helped cater the event and served 
meals to the five U.S. presidents in attendance.
  The brothers actively aid law enforcement and have donated 
approximately a half-million dollars to families of police officers 
killed in the line of duty. They also support the Los Angeles Police 
Memorial Foundation and the Gil Garcetti's Rescue Youth Program.
  Education is another major cause where they have given their time and 
resources, including donating $1 million to Glendale Community College 
for the construction of a new Science Center on campus.
  Other noteworthy causes include the Glendale Memorial Hospital and 
Catholic parishes in the Southern California area.
  Mr. Speaker, my wife, Janice, and I have enjoyed the friendship of 
the Cimmarusti family for many years, including Larry and Ralph's 
sister Loretta and her family. I had the pleasure of having Larry's son 
Patrick intern in my Washington, D.C., office while he attended law 
school. I know my colleagues join me in paying tribute to the 
Cimmarusti family for their entrepreneurship, their patriotism, and 
their philanthropy, and wish them continued great success.

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