LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Dr. Joseph E. Bowman Jr.,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay proper tribute
to individuals of great character whose lives reflected the highest
ideals of humanity and whose lifework enhanced the quality of life in
the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, With deep remorse, this Legislative Body is moved to mourn
the passing of Dr. Joseph E. Bowman Jr., distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community, who died on April 10, 2013, at the age
of 62; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his productive and exemplary life, Dr.
Joseph E. Bowman Jr. maintained a steadfast commitment to improving
education and addressing social issues in New York State, developing
innovative programs and institutions that profoundly impacted the lives
and futures of countless students, organizations and communities; and
WHEREAS, The son of the late Joseph and Violetta Bowman, Joseph Bowman
Jr. was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York; from an early age he was
engaged in his community, participating actively in the church he
attended with his family, attaining the rank of Life Scout in the Boy
Scouts, and playing basketball and running track in high school; and
WHEREAS, Soon after graduating from Midwood High School, Joseph Bowman
Jr. attended SUNY, University at Albany where he earned a bachelor's
degree in Africana Studies and Sociology in 1972, and a master's degree
in Library Science and Secondary Education in 1975; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Bowman continued his education at Teacher's
College, Columbia University in New York City where he earned additional
masters' degrees, Educational Technology in 1983, and Computer and
Education in 1984, as well as a doctorate in Communications and Technol-
ogy in Education in 1991; and
WHEREAS, During his time at Columbia University, Dr. Joseph Bowman
founded the Center for Urban Youth and Technology (CUYT) to promote
interest in the fields of education, community development, youth devel-
opment, professional teacher development and technology in New York City
middle and high schools; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Bowman returned to the University at Albany in
1994 and was an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational
Theory and Practice, as well as the Director of the CUYT which he
brought with him to Albany and expanded; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Joseph Bowman served as the director of the
Science Technology Entry Program (STEP) at the University from
1999-2007; in 2007 he created the Institute of Nanoscale Technology for
Youth (INTY) in cooperation with the College of Nanoscience and Engi-
neering; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Bowman's commitment to excellence, and his spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, He was appointed to the New York State Board of Regents in
2001 and served for nine years, emphasizing the importance of technology
and the need to narrow the technological divide in schools; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Dr. Joseph Bowman collaborated with the One Hundred
Black Men of the Capital Region to establish the 100-Net Technology
Network which now includes 20 sites providing access to technology and
training to urban communities; and
WHEREAS, A man with diverse interests and abilities, Dr. Joseph Bowman
was an electronic and print media journalist, an avid photographer and
radio announcer; he was also a talented musician who played the flute,

clarinet, piano and was an African drummer with the Burundi drumming and
African dance group for many years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph E. Bowman exemplified what it truly means to give
of oneself; he was a beautiful light in the lives of all of those with
whom he came into contact; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph E. Bowman Jr. is survived by his wife, Etwin;
daughters, Amber and Alicia; brother, William; father-in-law, Rudolph
Mapp, brother-in-law, Ricardo Mapp, sisters-in-law, Anita Mapp-Davis and
Michele Reed-Bowman; niece, Aliyah Bowman; and cousin, Idena Burnett
Baker; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Dr. Joseph E. Bowman's life was a portrait of love and
service; he leaves behind a legacy that 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 death of Dr. Joseph E. Bowman Jr., distinguished citizen and
devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Dr. Joseph E. Bowman Jr.