[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 164 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1967-E1968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN TRIBUTE TO HOWARD AND SUSAN GROFF

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2012

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to my good friends, 
entrepreneurs and patriots Howard and Susan Groff.
  The Groffs have owned Northwest Excavating Co., Inc. since the 1960s. 
Howard's father, Bob Groff, founded the company in 1959 under the name 
``Northwest Compaction.'' The company started out modestly, with two 
backhoes, an Arrow hammer, a skiploader, and a Gradall.
  During the first few years, Northwest focused primarily on renting 
equipment and operators to local grading and sewer contractors. The 
company prospered during the 1960s due to the ever-increasing 
construction throughout Southern California. While maintaining a 
conservative approach towards growth, the company slowly added 
equipment to its fleet.
  During the mid- to late 1960s, Howard and Sue bought the company. 
Howard often worked as equipment operator, mechanic, lowbed driver, or 
anything else that needed to be done, while Sue managed the finances. 
Howard, much like his father before him, undertook a conservative 
management approach toward the company. During the late 1960s and into 
the early 1970s, the company grew at a steady pace.
  As a result of the company's early experience working for underground 
sewer contractors, Northwest began an underground utilities division. 
This division dug trenches for power and telephone lines by the foot, 
then backfilled and compacted the trenches. Howard did all the 
estimating and ran most of the jobs. He is now acting CEO while his son 
Robert has taken over the daily management duties. Sue has stepped 
aside from the financial end.
  Howard and Sue owned and operated, along with their son Michael, 
Northridge Equipment Rental in five locations in California, which they 
sold in 2005. The Groffs have also developed, owned, and managed office 
and industrial buildings throughout the San Fernando Valley.
  For more than 30 years, the Groffs owned their own auto racing teams 
with their sons as drivers, which included racing in the Indy 500 for 
several years. Howard and Sue also are major supporters of our military 
and veterans and have been a major sponsor of my U.S. Rep. Elton 
Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop at Naval Base Ventura County. 
In addition to voting in every election, they also actively support 
candidates who share their fiscal conservative convictions.
  In addition to their sons Michael and Robert, Howard and Sue have a 
daughter, Debra, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in paying tribute to my 
friends Howard and Susan Groff for proving that conservative growth can 
build successful businesses and for proving their love for America by 
their generosity to our military men and women and by

[[Page E1968]]

taking an active role in the American political process.

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