LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of John B. O'Dowd,
retired Colonel in the United States Army Corps of Engineers

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, John O'Dowd, a vice president of New York City-based engi-
neering firm STV Corporation and a retired colonel in the United States
Army Corps of Engineers who commanded its New York district during the
9/11 terror attack in lower Manhattan, died on January 26, 2010, at age
54; and
WHEREAS, Colonel John O'Dowd was born in Bergenfield, New Jersey; he
was commissioned into the United States Army after graduating from the
United States Military Academy, West Point in 1978; and
WHEREAS, John O'Dowd distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, John O'Dowd joined STV in 2007 as vice president in its
construction management division, providing oversight for two projects
on which the firm was involved at the former World Trade Center site,
including the Freedom Tower and the National September 11 Memorial and
Museum; he was also named head of its federal sector business develop-
ment group in October of 2009; and
WHEREAS, John O'Dowd also previously served as the New York-based
associate vice president of federal services at HNTB Corporation in
Kansas City, Missouri; he joined the firm after a 28-year Army career;
and
WHEREAS, Serving as a commander of Corps districts in New York City
and Afghanistan, John O'Dowd participated in overseas deployments to
Korea, Afghanistan, Haiti, and a number of countries in Latin America;
he was named Corps district commander in New York two months before the
9/11 terror attack, and was a leader of the city's initial response and
recovery efforts, including removal and disposal of 1.6 million tons of
debris; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, John O'Dowd was a 1978 engineering
graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and earned
a Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins
University in Baltimore; he also served twice as president of the New
York City post of the Society of American Military Engineers, and as an
engineering instructor at West Point; and
WHEREAS, Colonel John O'Dowd's commitment to excellence, and his spir-
it of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Colonel John O'Dowd is survived by his wife, Jacqueline
"Francesca" O'Dowd; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, his life was a portrait of
service, a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of John B. O'Dowd, retired Colonel in the
United States Army Corps of Engineers; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Colonel John O'Dowd.