HR1135 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1135 LRB100 22070 ALS 40717 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Tony's Deli on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Tony Pontarelli and his sister, Maria Pontarelli, who immigrated to the United States from Abruzzo, Italy at the age of six, opened Tony's Deli in the Chicago community of Edison Park in 1978; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, Maria Pontarelli met Vito Dalmazio, an immigrant from Ciminna, Sicily, at a restaurant in Niles, where both were working; he was preparing pizzas, and she was working the cash register; they married on October 11, 1980 and became partners in life and business; and

WHEREAS, Vito and Maria Dalmazio took over operations of the deli, keeping the family name; in 1998, the business had become so successful, that they bought the building and expanded; and

WHEREAS, Vito and Maria Dalmazio have served many local celebrities at their deli, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, former Mayor Richard M. Daly, and former WSCR radio personality Mike North, who has a submarine sandwich named after him; John F. McDonough, who is currently the President and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks, grew up in the Edison Park Area and always makes a special trip to the deli with the Stanley Cup; and

WHEREAS, Vito and Maria Dalmazio have three children, Josie, Jenny, and Freddie, along with four grandchildren; with the help of their daughters and co-owners, the family has focused on their rich Italian heritage and feature old family recipes that have kept Tony's as the number one Italian deli in Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Tony's Deli on the occasion of its 40th anniversary, and we wish owners Vito and Maria Dalmazio many more successful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Vito and Maria Dalmazio as an expression of our esteem and respect.