Major Owens

Major Owens DEMDemocrat

American politician (1936-2013)

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Major OwensDEMDemocrat American politician (1936-2013)
77
Age at Death1936-2013
35
Years of Experience
NYResidence (state)

Major Robert Odell Owens (June 28, 1936 – October 21, 2013) was an American politician and librarian who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2007, representing the New York's 11th and then 12th congressional district. He was first elected to replace retiring Representative Shirley Chisholm. Owens shepherded the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 through the House. He retired at the end of his term in January 2007 and was succeeded by Yvette Clarke.

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Education4 - 4 of 2
Atlanta University
MS
1957
Morehouse College
BA Math
1956
Past Positions1 - 7 of 7
Representative
United States House of Representatives
1982 - 2007
Senator
New York State Senate
1974 - 1982
Board
Brownsville Community Council
1965 - 1967
College Lecturer
1974 - 1982
New York City Commissioner
New York Community Development Agency
1968 - 1973
Executive Director
Community Action of Brownsville
1966 - 1968
Professional Librarian
Brooklyn Public Library
1958 - 1966
Other Experience1 - 16 of 16
Founder
National Commission for African American Education
1991 - 2002
Member
SECME Incorporated
2000 - Current
Member
Morehouse College Alumni Association
2000 - Current
Member
Brooklyn National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
1987 - Current
Member
American Library Association
1986 - Current
Board
Central Brooklyn Martin Luther King Commission
1983 - Current
Coalition for Community Empowerment
1982 - Current
Board
Bedford Stuvesant Youth in Action
1965 - 1967
Chariman
Brooklyn Congress of Racial Equality
1964 - 1966
Experience
Americans for Democratic Action
Government Operations
1983 - 1994
Associate Member
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Co-Chair for Caucus Programs
Congressional Progressive Caucus
Experience
Congressional Black Caucus
Experience
Congressional Black Caucus Higher Education Brain Trust
Experience
Congressional Urban Caucus
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