[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Senate] [Page 8922] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IN RECOGNITION OF LITTLE CAESARS ENTERPRISES Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 40th birthday of Little Caesars Enterprises, an extraordinary company headquartered in my home state of Michigan and my hometown of Detroit. It is not possible to talk about Little Caesars without recognizing the efforts of the founders of the company, Mike and Marian Ilitch. Mike and Marian are not only fine examples of entrepreneurship. They exemplify the American Dream itself. These two first-generation Americans, both of Macedonian descent, opened their first Little Caesars restaurant in Garden City, Michigan on May 8, 1959. After only three years, they sold their first Little Caesars franchise. The company became an international enterprise in 1969, with the opening of its first restaurant in Canada. By 1987, Little Caesars restaurants could be found in all 50 states. Today, Little Caesars' markets include the U.S., Canada, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, South Korea, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Turkey, the Philippines, Ecuador, Aruba and Egypt. The Ilitch family and the employees of Little Caesars have demonstrated a deep commitment to the City of Detroit. Several years ago, many people characterized the decision to move Little Caesars' headquarters to downtown Detroit was ``an act of faith.'' Today, other companies are following in Little Caesars footsteps and the City of Detroit's business climate is truly on the rebound. Throughout the years, Little Caesars has sponsored youth sports, especially hockey, and given generously to charitable causes. One of the most notable charitable endeavors supported by Little Caesars is the Little Caesars Love Kitchen Foundation, a mobile pizza restaurant which has fed more than 1.2 million people since it was created in 1985. The Love Kitchen Foundation has been recognized by Presidents Clinton, Bush and Reagan for its service to those in need. Many people credit the success of Little Caesars to its ``buy one, get one free'' concept. Others say its the creative, witty advertising. But anyone who knows Mike and Marian Ilitch knows that Little Caesars is truly a labor of love, and that they are at the heart of their company's success. And if the Ilitches are the heart and soul of Little Caesars, the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have worked for the company or who have owned a Little Caesars franchise have been its backbone. Those employees have helped to make Little Caesars the dynamic, successful enterprise it is today. Mr. President, I know my colleagues join me in offering congratulations and best wishes for continuing success to Mike and Marian Ilitch, their family, and the entire Little Caesars organization as they celebrate the company's 40th birthday. ____________________