Title: A resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of Versailles, known as "The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant".
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion

Summary:
This resolution honors the 50th anniversary of Versailles, known as the "The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant," as a moment to celebrate Cuban heritage and the innovation of the people of South Florida.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 435 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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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 occurred 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 Perez-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 Miami-Dade 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;
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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) honors the 50th anniversary of Versailles, known as the 
        ``The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant'', as a moment to 
        celebrate Cuban heritage and the innovation of the people of 
        South Florida;
            (2) notes that the story of Versailles, being created by 
        Cuban immigrants as a cultural hub for Cuban Americans and 
        Miamians, is unique to the United States; and
            (3) commends Versailles for 50 years of operation and 
        cultural contributions to Miami and the great State of Florida.
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