[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THANK YOU, BILL BOWES, FOR YOUR SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when I hired Barbara Bowes as my 
district coordinator nearly 16 years ago, I didn't realize that I would 
obtain the services of her husband, Bill, as part of the deal. However, 
I am grateful that I did, and as I prepare to leave this institution, I 
want to take a moment to thank Bill Bowes for his service as chairman 
of my Service Academy Nominations Board.
  William P. Bowes, Sr., is owner and president of Capt. I.S. Derrick, 
Independent ship and Cargo Surveyors, Inc. in Houston. Bill is a 1962 
graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY--one of 
the Nation's four service academies. Since graduating from Kings Point, 
Bill has remained active in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy National 
Alumni Association, of which he is a life time member. Indeed, for 10 
years, Bill served as gulf coast regional vice president of the alumni 
association, and he is a past president of its Houston chapter. He is 
the recipient of the alumni association's Meritorious Alumni Service 
Award as well as its Outstanding Professional Achievement Award, and he 
currently serves as the national alumni association's regional vice 
president.
  Bill's dedication to, and belief in, Kings Point showed itself when 
funding for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy was threatened several 
years ago. Bill traveled to Washington, DC, to educate Members of 
Congress on the value of the academy, and to lobby for continued 
federal funding for that important institution.
  But Bill's dedication to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy also 
evidenced itself when he agreed to my request to serve as chairman of 
my Service Academy Nominations Board.
  The Service Academy Nominations Board is composed of representatives 
of each of the school districts in my congressional district. The Board 
is charged with sorting through applications sent to it from young men 
and women seeking to attend one of the Nation's four service academies: 
the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy in 
Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; and 
the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
  I purposely designed the selection process to be highly competitive, 
and strictly merit-based. Having attended and graduated from Kings 
Point, Bill knows what qualities and characteristics to look for in 
potential nominees to ensure they will succeed at the nation's service 
academies. And as chairman of the Board, Bill's knowledge has proven 
remarkably effective. Since 1981, 203 young men and women from Texas' 
8th Congressional District have received a total of 229 appointments to 
the nation's service academies.
  Bill's service to the U.S. Merchant Marine National Alumni 
Association, and his service as chairman of my Service Academy 
Nominations Board, is only a part of his community service. He has been 
a member of, and a past president of, the Woodforest Civic Association. 
Since 1969, he has been a member of, and has held several leadership 
positions in, the North Shore YMCA. He is a member of the A.F. & A.M. 
Lodge No. 442/Scottish Rite, a member of Houston North Shore Elks Lodge 
No. 2476, and a member of the Houston Mariners Club. Additionally, Bill 
is a longtime member of the North Shore Rotary Club--being named 
``Rotarian of the Year'' in 1986--and he is a member and past board 
member of the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce.
  I appreciate this opportunity to thank Bill Bowes for his service to 
me, to my Service Academy Nominations Board, and to his community. 
Thank you, Bill Bowes, for your service.

                          ____________________