[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SENATOR TONY GRAMPSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 1999

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with heavy-heart that I now take this 
moment to recognize the remarkable life and extraordinary contributions 
of one of the leading statesman in Colorado's proud history, State 
Senator Tony Grampsas. Sadly, Colorado lost this leading member of its 
political community to cancer on February 8, 1998. While his 
overwhelming presence will be missed greatly by friends, family and 
colleagues alike, Senator Grampsas' larger than life persona, and his 
multitude of personal achievements, will echo in the corridors of the 
Colorado General Assembly for many years to come.
  After his election to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1984--
a seat that he would hold until 1998, then Representatives Grampsas 
quickly became one of the most influential and beloved members in the 
Colorado legislature. As a legislator, Representative Grampsas rapidly 
moved through the thicket of the rank and file becoming chairman of two 
of the Colorado General Assembly's most powerful committees: the House 
Appropriations and Joint Budget Committees. In these positions, 
Representative Grampsas served distinguishedly, acutely balancing his 
fiscal conservatism with his deeply rooted support for social programs 
like child welfare and education.
  After leaving the state House in 1998, Representative Grampsas became 
Senator Grampsas, again, swiftly rising to positions of great import 
within the state Senate. In his first session as a State Senator--the 
current legislative session, Senator Grampsas served as chairman of the 
Senate Finance Committee.
  Beyond his legislative accomplishments, Senator Grampsas also served 
distinguishedly in the private sector for 26 years as the director of 
national affairs for Coors Brewing Company. For 15 of those years, 
Senator Grampsas admirably balanced the significant time demands of his 
job with Coors with the weighty requirements of serving in elected 
office.
  While the annals of Colorado history will likely remember Senator 
Grampsas for his multitude of legislative and professional 
accomplishments, for those, like myself, fortunate enough to know him 
as a friend, Senator Grampsas will long be remembered for his wit, 
wisdom and unyielding charity. In the final analysis, for those who 
have known him, Senator Grampsas was a genuinely kind and unassuming 
individual worthy of the proud legacy that he has left behind.
  It is with this, Mr. Speaker, that I say thank you to Senator Tony 
Grampsas for endeavoring tirelessly on behalf of Coloradans and for 
providing leadership and inspiration to many, including myself, I am 
hoping that Senator Grampsas' family--particularly his wife Sandy and 
children Lisa and Samuel--will find strength in this difficult time.

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