LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Congressman Major Robert
Odell Owens, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

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, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Congressman Major Robert Odell Owens, noting
the significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Major Owens, who served in the House of Representatives until
2007, died on Monday, October 21, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Major Owens was born in Collierville, Tennessee, on June 28,
1936, to Ezekiel and Edna Owens; in 1956, the year he graduated from
Morehouse, Mr. Owens married Ms. Ethel Werfel and was later re-married
to the former Maria Cuprill; and
WHEREAS, After earning a master's degree in library science in 1957
from Atlanta University (which later became Clark Atlanta), Mr. Owens
moved to New York City and worked as a librarian in Brooklyn from 1958
until the mid-1960s; as a librarian, he became a fixture in the Brooklyn
Community working as a crusader for working class families which led him
into fighting poverty as part of the Mayor John V. Lindsay Adminis-
tration in the 1960s, and eventually into a position as a New York State
Senator; and
WHEREAS, After serving Brooklyn as a State Senator, Major Owens ran
successfully for the Congressional Seat previously held by Congresswoman
Shirley Chisholm, which he continued to serve for 24 years; among his
many achievements include the passage of the Americans with Disabilities
Act and many years of increased funding for the historically black
colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS, After his retirement from Congress, Major Owens returned to
the world of academia and taught at Medgar Evers College in Central
Brooklyn; in his death, Brooklyn has lost a true hero who led by example
and cared deeply for the community he lived in for so many years; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Major Owens distinguished himself in his profes-
sion and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of his community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Owens is survived by his wife, Maria, his children,
Chris, Millard and Geoffrey, his brothers, Ezekiel Jr., Mack and Bobby,
his sister, Edna, stepson, Carlos, stepdaughter, Cecilia, four grand-
children and four step-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Congressman Major Owens leaves behind 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 death of Congressman Major Robert Odell Owens, 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 Congressman Major Robert Odell Owens.