March 3, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 42 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page H1464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1415
                  REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF SAMI NATOUR

  (Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Sami 
Natour, a respected member of the Knoxville community who recently 
passed away at the age of 86.
  Sami lived the American Dream. He was born in Palestine in 1933 and 
later immigrated to America in 1953. He returned to Palestine in 1956 
to marry his wife, Abla, before they permanently settled in the United 
States and became American citizens. The Natours lived in Arlington, 
Virginia, before making east Tennessee their home.
  In 1972, Sami opened the Copper Kettle Restaurant in Knoxville with 
his brothers, Samir and Naji. Sami worked extremely hard to make the 
Copper Kettle a success. Sami's son, Peter, remembers his father's work 
ethic and how he would often work from 6 in the morning until midnight.
  Sami's dedication to his business clearly left an impression on his 
sons: all three of them own and operate restaurants in the Knoxville 
area. Peter runs Pete's Coffee Shop--one of my favorite places--Basel 
runs Rami's Cafe, and Bassam runs Sami's Cafe.
  Sami will be greatly missed. His life story serves as a reminder that 
anyone willing to work hard can follow their dreams and be successful 
in our great Nation.

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