[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      TRIBUTE TO WILBERT OWENS, JR.

                                 ______


                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 21, 1995
  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Wilbert 
Owens, Jr., a man who has achieved excellence in nearly every 
professional and educational endeavor. Mr. Owens is retiring after 23 
years of distinguished service in the L.A. County district attorney's 
office.
  Mr. Owens' success began long before he became an attorney. In 
Denison, TX where he was born, he was a talented scholar-athlete, 
graduating from Terrell High School as class valedictorian, class 
president, and captain of the football team. Mr. Owens also received 
the Rockwell trophy for student-athlete with the highest academic 
average. After high school, Mr. Owens attended Bethune-Cookman College, 
where he graduated with honors, earning a B.S. in pre-med. Here also he 
displayed his ability to excel in both academics and athletics by 
achieving all-conference honors in football and being named captain of 
the team.
  Wilbert Owens' dreams of becoming a doctor were put on hold when he 
was drafted into the Army on October 13, 1955. However, he was not 
daunted by this occurrence. He finished officer candidate school in 6 
months and was commissioned 2d lieutenant. From Fort Ord Mr. Owens was 
sent to the 11th Airborne Division in Germany, where he served as 1st 
lieutenant, platoon leader, executive officer of Rifle Company, and 
detachment commander of the military police unit. Mr. Owens returned to 
the United States in 1959 and was promoted to captain while at Fort 
Lewis, WA. The balance of his military service included a tour in 
Vietnam from 1962-63, where he earned an Army commendation medal for 
successfully constructing a training center to train and equip 2,000 
men in self-defense.
  In Germany Wilbert Owens first discovered his passion for the law, 
defending soldiers charged with minor crimes. He won all of his cases 
and was appointed prosecutor. Later, he received the distinction of a 
seat on the courts' martial board.
  Upon his release from the military in 1963, Mr. Owens decided to 
pursue his interest in the law, he first joined the L.A. County 
Marshall's office, a position he held with honor for 9 years. To enable 
his new dream of a law career to become a reality, Mr. Owens attended 
Southwestern Law School at night, beginning in 1965. In 1972 he was 
admitted to the California bar and hired by the L.A. County district 
attorney's office, where he has worked for 23 years. Because of his 
diligence and commitment to his profession, Mr. Owens rose through the 
ranks of the district attorney's office from the research and training 
division to the deputy position at the Inglewood adult office.
  Wilbert Owens, Jr. exemplifies hard work, perseverance, and 
commitment to society. He deserves our praise and I strongly urge my 
colleagues to join me in commending him on his accomplishments and 
congratulating him on his retirement. Please join me in extending best 
wishes to Will and his lovely wife, Evelyn.


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