[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1419-E1420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             JOHN L. GROVE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2003

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and loss of 
John L. Grove, whose accomplishments have made an everlasting impact to 
Pennsylvania and the Nation.
  John Grove committed his life to the Franklin County community as a 
defining model for entrepreneurism and the American dream. Mr. Grove 
personally had a hand in the creation of numerous successful companies 
and contributed his expertise and advice to a whole host of other 
business ventures.
  John Grove was noted for his brilliance and huge innovations in the 
world of hydraulics. He was most notably, the ``father'' of the 
hydraulic telescoping crane boom. In addition to his prowess for 
business and ingenuity, he was also extremely generous to his 
community. Today his philanthropic endeavors, including the John L. 
Grove College of Business at Shippensburg University and the John L. 
Grove Medical Center in Greencastle, stand as a reminder of his faith 
in those around him and his determination to provide a better life for 
others.
  John Grove and his brother formed Grove Manufacturing Company by 
building farm wagons out of a two car suburban garage. But brilliance 
would not be constrained by just farm wagons. In just three short 
years, he and his brother developed and built the industry's first 
industrial yard crane. Quickly the wagons were superceded by the demand 
for the cranes and the small business in a garage became an industrial 
giant.
  After a very successful run in this career, Mr. Grove and his brother 
sold the company in the 1960's and John Grove took a well-deserved 
vacation. But as most truly gifted people find out, the body may rest 
but the brain never pauses. It was in the course of his vacation 
travels across this great country of ours, that Mr. Grove realized the 
pitfalls of those who needed to work on platforms and scaffolding. To 
that end, he invented the self propelled work-basket vehicle and in an 
instant a second career was born.
  In implementing his new vision, Mr. Grove and a partner bought a 
small factory in McConnellsburg and began with only 15 employees. Soon, 
JLG Industries would grow to a internationally recognized company that 
would employ thousands from around the community.
  In 1993, Mr. Grove retired from a hugely successful career at JLG, 
but he continued to offer both his business experience and philanthropy 
to the area he so dearly loved.
  Few people have had such a tremendous impact on south central 
Pennsylvania. With the passing of John L. Grove, Pennsylvania and 
America have lost one of their greatest citizens.

[[Page E1420]]



                          ____________________