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2017 SESSION

17105168D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 401
Offered February 13, 2017
Celebrating the life of George Steven Bilidas.
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Patron-- Petersen
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WHEREAS, George Steven Bilidas of Oakton, a successful Northern Virginia entrepreneur and cofounder of the Amphora restaurant chain, died on November 12, 2016; and

WHEREAS, George Bilidas was a Greek immigrant who came to the United States from the small village of Magoula, outside of Sparta, Greece, when he was 21 years old; and

WHEREAS, George Bilidas arrived in Vienna in 1962, where he first operated Rolling Road Restaurant and then the Lake Anne Inn in Reston; and

WHEREAS, in the late 1970s, George Bilidas and his brother-in-law, Louis Cholakis, opened Amphora Restaurant, a New York-style diner that was one of Vienna’s earliest eateries and the only 24-hour restaurant of its time; and

WHEREAS, Amphora Restaurant became a favorite among Virginia State Police troopers and local police officers, whom George Bilidas often treated to free or discounted meals to show his appreciation for their service; and

WHEREAS, George Bilidas’ philosophy was “work hard and be nice to everyone”; he loved being around people, and his constant presence at his restaurant made patrons feel like part of the family; and

WHEREAS, for four decades, Amphora Restaurant has been a Vienna landmark that serves up delicious made-from-scratch specialties, and today the Amphora Group includes Amphora’s Diner Deluxe in Herndon, Amphora Bakery, and Amphora Catering; and

WHEREAS, a charismatic, personable, and kindhearted gentleman, George Bilidas retired from Amphora in 1993, but he continued to frequent the restaurant to drink coffee and visit with longtime customers; and

WHEREAS, George Bilidas never lost touch with his roots in Greece and his Greek Orthodox faith, and he returned often to his native country to connect with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, George Bilidas financially supported St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, which he helped to found, and a special-needs center in his home village of Magoula, among other charitable efforts; and

WHEREAS, George Bilidas enjoyed spending time with his large extended family, in the company of friends, in traveling the globe, and in staying fit by walking at Tysons Corner Center; and

WHEREAS, George Bilidas will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Bess; son, Steve, and his family; and a host of other relatives, friends, loyal customers, and dedicated employees; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of George Steven Bilidas, a successful Northern Virginia entrepreneur and cofounder of the Amphora restaurant chain; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of George Steven Bilidas as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.