[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 178 (Thursday, November 17, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6773-S6774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   RECOGNIZING ROLF MONUMENT COMPANY

 Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Rolf 
Monument Company of Newport, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the 
Week.
  All across America's Main Streets, one will find small businesses 
that offer a product or service more valuable than that which is 
offered by their corporate competitors. Rolf Monument Company is one of 
those businesses. Established in 1895, Rolf Monument Co is the oldest 
business in Newport. The secret behind this main street mainstay is 
their respectful customer service and high-quality products, which are 
often sought by customers that are going through some of life's 
toughest moments. Rolf Monument Company is a premier craftsman of 
custom memorials, and the owner Tim Rolf takes great pride in providing 
his customers with products that showcase an unparalleled attention to 
detail and dignified artistry.
  Being only the fourth person to run the business since its founding, 
owner Tim Rolf took the helm of Rolf Monument Company in 1984, and he 
takes special care in continuing to steward the family company into the 
modern age. Though his family may not be famous by their name, the work 
of Rolf Monument Co is well known throughout the tri-state area. Some 
of the company's most notable works around Newport include the 9/11 
Memorial at the World Peace Bell, the Riverwalk plaques, the Northern 
Kentucky Firefighters Memorial, and the Beverly Hills Supper Club 
Memorial, which the company is currently designing and building. 
Perhaps the company's most famous work was a piece commissioned by a 
movie producer who was then in the production of ``Rain Man''. With the 
movie being filmed in northern Kentucky, the production crew largely 
depended on businesses in the northern part of the State to service 
whatever needs arose while filming. Therefore, Rolf Monument Co was 
tapped to design the headstones for the fictional parents of the 
characters played by Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. These movie-famous 
monuments are on display today at Rolf Monument Company, serving as a 
reminder of the company's work featured in the hit 1988 movie.
  In addition to his reputation for providing top-quality products to 
all his customers, Tim Rolf has been recognized for his service outside 
of his leadership of Rolf Monument Company. This year, Mr. Rolf was 
inducted into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame, a group that honors 
Kentucky military veterans and educates the community about their 
accomplishments. Mr. Rolf comes from a family that understands the 
importance of serving our country; he and his three brothers and one 
sister all having served in the U.S. military. However, the Kentucky 
Veterans Hall of Fame not only recognized Mr. Rolf for his 
contributions during his time in uniform, his induction paid tribute to 
the fine work he and his company have

[[Page S6774]]

done to honor many of our fallen soldiers and servicemen. Memorials 
that are commissioned for veterans often display additional markings 
and features not usually featured on the average headstone, such as 
Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts. In a display of gratitude for their 
service to our country, whenever Rolf Monument Co receives a commission 
for one of these specially crafted veterans' headstones, Mr. Rolf adds 
the additional service-specific features free of charge.
  Of the many services this company offers, the most popular is the 
creation of memorials for families who have recently lost loved ones. 
Mr. Rolf understands that these monuments often embody the final step 
in the grieving process, and Rolf Monument Company takes special care 
to streamline this process and ensure the family of the bereaved is 
treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Moreover, this same level 
of dignity is displayed in all the collaboration Rolf Monument Co 
participates in within the veteran community. Tim Rolf's company often 
works with AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Vietnam veterans 
groups. Not only does his company play an important part in the 
transition of life for Kentucky citizens, but they work tirelessly to 
pay tribute to the men and women who fought to keep our country free. I 
want to thank Mr. Rolf for his fine work done on behalf of our Nation's 
veterans and congratulate him and to the entire team at Rolf Monument 
Company. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in 
Kentucky.

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