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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to recognize Tony's Deli on the occasion 
4of its 40th anniversary; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Tony Pontarelli and his sister, Maria Pontarelli, 
6who immigrated to the United States from Abruzzo, Italy at the 
7age of six, opened Tony's Deli in the Chicago community of 
8Edison Park in 1978; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, In 1979, Maria Pontarelli met Vito Dalmazio, an 
10immigrant from Ciminna, Sicily, at a restaurant in Niles, where 
11both were working; he was preparing pizzas, and she was working 
12the cash register; they married on October 11, 1980 and became 
13partners in life and business; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Vito and Maria Dalmazio took over operations of 
15the deli, keeping the family name; in 1998, the business had 
16become so successful, that they bought the building and 
17expanded; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Vito and Maria Dalmazio have served many local 
19celebrities at their deli, including Chicago Mayor Rahm 
20Emanuel, former Mayor Richard M. Daly, and former WSCR radio 
21personality Mike North, who has a submarine sandwich named 
 
 
HR1135- 2 -LRB100 22070 ALS 40717 r

1after him; John F. McDonough, who is currently the President 
2and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks, grew up in the Edison Park 
3Area and always makes a special trip to the deli with the 
4Stanley Cup; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Vito and Maria Dalmazio have three children, 
6Josie, Jenny, and Freddie, along with four grandchildren; with 
7the help of their daughters and co-owners, the family has 
8focused on their rich Italian heritage and feature old family 
9recipes that have kept Tony's as the number one Italian deli in 
10Chicago; therefore, be it
  
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
12HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
13recognize Tony's Deli on the occasion of its 40th anniversary, 
14and we wish owners Vito and Maria Dalmazio many more successful 
15years; and be it further
  
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17presented to Vito and Maria Dalmazio as an expression of our 
18esteem and respect.