[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13] [Senate] [Page 17135] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING RUDY GARCIA Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the memory of Rudolph ``Rudy'' Garcia, a quintessential entrepreneur and fixture in the St. Paul community, who passed away on August 27, 2006, at the age of 61. As Rudy's close friends have noted: ``He truly personified the American Dream.'' Having grown up in an orphanage without any formation education, Rudy decided at an early age to chase his dream of owning and operating his own restaurant a dream that went hand in hand with his great love of cooking. At the age of 21, he opened his first establishment, Garcia's Casita on the West Side of the city, becoming St. Paul's first Latino businessowner. Through a combination of Rudy's personality and commonsense business practices, he was able to grow Garcia's Casita into a string of six different St. Paul eating establishments during the 1990s. From steakhouses to nightclubs, Rudy's perseverance continually led him to success even in the face of several failures and a St. Paul that was still on the edge of revitalization. Rick Aguilar, a St. Paul businessman and longtime friend, described Rudy as ``a man with a million ideas'' whose energy helped him roll with the punches and make his dreams a reality. Rudy continued to stay the course as both he and St. Paul grew alongside each other through the years. In 1994, while serving as the mayor of St. Paul, I had the distinct privilege of proclaiming a day in his honor. While the St. Paul community mourns Rudy's passing, we can't help but celebrate his life that should serve as a model for not only Latinos, but all Americans who are looking to make their dreams a reality. The St. Paul area and I will sincerely miss Garcia's great commitment to our community. Whether it was his work in the restaurant business or his participation in the early 1960s band the Jaymars a popular area band that played a mix of jazz, rock `n' roll and blues--Garcia's impact on St. Paul is immeasurable. ____________________