[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E31]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO HOWARD L. OWENS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise in tribute to Mr. 
Howard L. Owens of Sacramento, California. Today, Mr. Owens will be 
presented the ``Lifetime Health Care Advocate Award'' by Health Access 
of California. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in saluting 
him for this important accomplishment.
  In 1984 Mr. Owens retired as Assistant Regional Director of the 
United Auto Workers after providing 35 years of health care advocacy 
for the working men and women of that union.
  Since then, he has given an even greater amount of his time to the 
vital cause of health care advocacy. Mr. Owens has served as president 
and legislative chair of the Congress of California Seniors. Under his 
leadership, this organization has become a strong and constant voice 
for health care access and quality improvements.
  Mr. Owens was also one of the chief proponents of Proposition 186, 
California's universal health care initiative which appeared on the 
1992 ballot. Today he is a very prominent advocate for the Patients 
Bill of Rights in Congress.
  He is the current president of Health Access California and has 
served in this capacity for more than five years. Additionally, Mr. 
Owens is the Regional Director of the National Council of Senior 
Citizens and the Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of 
California.
  As a tireless advocate for these organizations, he directs their 
efforts to maintain and enhance Medicare coverage and supports other 
efforts to ensure that adequate health care is available to all.
  Mr. Owens' many awards include the prestigious ``Consumer Advocate of 
the Year'' award which he received from the California Trial Lawyers 
Association.
  In his efforts to keep energy affordable and accessible for all of 
California's citizenry, Mr. Owens has also devoted much time to his 
service on the boards of both Southern California Edison and Pacific 
Gas & Electric.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Howard Owens. He is a 
fine advocate for the senior citizens and working families of 
California. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in 
congratulating him as he is honored today with the ``Lifetime Health 
Care Advocate Award'' in Sacramento.

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