[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 50]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING PETER GROFF ON BECOMING FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN STATE SENATE 
                     PRESIDENT IN COLORADO HISTORY

  (Mr. PERLMUTTER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commend my friend 
Peter Groff on his historic achievement of becoming the first African 
American State Senate President in Colorado's history. Senator Groff 
becomes only the third African American Senate President in U.S. 
history. This momentous accomplishment is well-deserved.
  Senator Groff is one of the most honorable, bright, and deliberate 
individuals I have ever had the pleasure to serve with. He embodies 
statesmanship and has earned the trust and esteem of his colleagues on 
both sides of the aisle.
  Senator Groff's courageous and visionary approach to governing can be 
summed up in his own words: ``To be bigger than the politics of the 
moment.'' I find it fitting that the man nicknamed ``the conscience of 
the Colorado Senate'' would be the first in our State's history to 
shatter this once seemingly impenetrable glass ceiling.
  In closing, the Honorable Shirley Chisholm once said, ``I don't 
measure America by its achievement, but by its potential.'' I can think 
of no better person to help Colorado achieve its potential than Peter 
Groff. He will serve Colorado with honor and distinction.

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