[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 TRIBUTE TO RICHARD F. ``REGIS'' GROFF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 1999

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Denver 
leader Richard F. ``Regis'' Groff whose leadership in Denver and 
throughout the world has enhanced so many people's lives. Regis Groff 
has contributed, not only to Denver through his teaching and civic 
involvement, but also throughout the world by traveling and working 
with foreign countries on humanitarian issues.
  His international efforts have led him to many countries including 
Nigeria, Germany, Jamaica, Israel, China and South Africa to work on a 
variety of important issues. In Israel he worked on improving the 
Black-Jewish dialogue. He traveled to South Africa on a fact finding 
mission and, visited China with a small group of fellow legislators as 
part of a good will tour.
  Regis Groff, who is now the Executive Director of Metro Denver Black 
Church Initiative, first came to Denver to get his Masters from the 
University of Denver. He taught history classes in the Denver Public 
Schools (DPS) until 1977, when he began working as an Intergovernmental 
Relations Specialist for DPS. From there he became the Community 
Affairs Coordinator for (DPS). From 1974 to 1988 he served in the 
Colorado State Legislature. In 1993 he worked as Consultant to the 
Chancellor of the University of Colorado at Denver and in 1994 he 
became Director of the Youthful Offenders System, where he targeted 
youthful offenders of crimes involving deadly weapons. His program 
vigorously worked to break down gang affiliations and instill hope and 
dignity to youth.
  This is not the only work Groff has done to better Denver 
communities, but he has so many accomplishments, it is hard to list 
them all. He was Vice President of the Denver Federation of Teachers, 
the Senate Minority Leader for the Colorado State Senate and Vice 
President of the National Democratic Leadership Caucus to highlight a 
few accomplishments in his vast resume of community involvement.
  The work he has done on behalf of the community has not gone 
unnoticed. He has received many awards for his efforts such as, 
Legislator of the Year Award from the Associated Press, the 
Appreciation Award in recognition of his work for the youth of Denver 
and the Distinguished Service Citation award presented by the United 
Negro College Fund to name a few.
  Regis Groff's important work and selfless acts over the past two 
decades is what has inspired me to recognize and applaud his efforts 
today.

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