[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING TONY HACKBARTH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL COOK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 28, 2014

  Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Tony 
Hackbarth. Tony, who passed away on May 21, 2014, was a larger than 
life figure in the Hi-Desert's city of Barstow.
  Better known as Mr. Del Taco, Tony and his brother Ed opened the 
first Del Taco on First Street in Barstow in 1966. By 1981, Del Taco 
had 250 locations across the Golden State feeding thousands of 
customers every day. After selling the franchise in 1979, Tony remained 
the owner and operator of the three Barstow restaurants located on 
First Street, Mountain View, and Lenwood Road. He worked at the First 
Street location up until his death.
  Everyone in the Barstow community knew Tony and could find him waving 
out of the drive through window of the First Street Del Taco location. 
A true man of the people, and a champion of the community it is with a 
heavy heart that I stand here today.
  Tony served four years in the U.S. Air Force and was discharged in 
1958. In 2001, he was awarded the ``Man of Continuous Service'' by the 
Barstow Chamber of Commerce and he and his wife were awarded the 
``Parents of the Year'' award in 1990.
  Tony is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara and their four 
children, Julie, Mark, Aaron, and Brae. I join with the City of Barstow 
and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Tony in remembering him, 
and praying for his family.

                          ____________________