III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 435 

Honoring the 50th anniversary of Versailles, known as ‘‘The World’s Most 

Famous Cuban Restaurant’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 

Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself and Mr. RUBIO) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring the 50th anniversary of Versailles, known as ‘‘The 

World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant’’. 

Whereas Versailles, located in Miami, Florida, is known as 

‘‘The World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant’’; 

Whereas Versailles was originally founded in 1971 by Felipe 

Valls, Sr., a Cuban immigrant; 

Whereas, soon after opening its doors in 1971, Versailles became the gathering place for Cuban exiles located in 

Miami; 

Whereas Versailles has been a central spot for notable visitors from across the United States to show their support 

for the Cuban people; 

Whereas Versailles has been home to many peaceful protests, 

including large scale demonstrations like the one that ocVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:01 Nov 02, 2021 Jkt 029200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR435.IS SR435

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•SRES 435 IS 

curred in July 2021 in support of the people of Cuba 

protesting the harshness of the current regime in that 

country; 

Whereas Versailles hosted seas of Cuban Americans celebrating the death of longtime dictator Fidel Castro in 

November 2016, which led more than 60 TV crews and 

other forms of media to come and witness a piece of 

Cuban and Cuban-American history; 

Whereas the mirrors in the main hall of Versailles, designed 

by Juan Pe ́rez-Cruz, a decorator with a passion for 

French styles and uncle of singer Pitbull, appear to make 

the restaurant goers multiply; 

Whereas Versailles is described by many residents of MiamiDade County as being a cultural hub for Cuban Americans and Miamians, which is evidenced by the fact that 

whenever a sports team in Miami wins a national title or 

accomplishes something extraordinary, there will be 

crowds of people outside of Versailles and on Calle Ocho, 

banging pots and pans together and chanting in celebration; 

Whereas Versailles is working with the History of Miami Museum and Exile Books to collect memories and stories 

from individuals in connection with the restaurant over 

the past 50 years in order to showcase the cultural significance of Versailles; 

Whereas the legacy of Felipe Valls, Sr., continues with the 

Valls Group, which has 2,000 employees and owns the 9 

La Carretas in South Florida, MesaMar in Coral Gables, 

Casa Cuba in South Miami, and Casa Juancho, a longtime Spanish restaurant in Little Havana; 


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•SRES 435 IS 

Whereas the Valls family worked with the locally founded 

grocery store chain Sedano’s to employ over 400 

Versailles staff members while Versailles and all of the 

La Carreta locations were closed in 2020 during the 

Coranavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic; and 

Whereas the Valls family has participated in charitable work 

throughout the Miami community for many organizations, including the American Cancer Society and Amigos 

for Kids: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) honors the 50th anniversary of Versailles, 

3 known as the ‘‘The World’s Most Famous Cuban 

4 Restaurant’’, as a moment to celebrate Cuban herit5 age and the innovation of the people of South Flor6 ida; 

7 (2) notes that the story of Versailles, being cre8 ated by Cuban immigrants as a cultural hub for 

9 Cuban Americans and Miamians, is unique to the 

10 United States; and 

11 (3) commends Versailles for 50 years of oper12 ation and cultural contributions to Miami and the 

13 great State of Florida. 

Æ 


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