[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 7829] [From the U.S. 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. ____________________