[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO COLONEL EDWARD OWSLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JO ANN EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I rise to honor a 
very special constituent on his day of retirement. Colonel Edward 
Owsley, a native of Missouri, is retiring after 10 years on the Rolla 
City Council. I have known Colonel Ed for twenty years and he has been 
a great inspiration to me as well as the city of Rolla. Colonel Ed has 
been a true leader for the City of Rolla, always searching for new 
opportunities and challenges. He has served on the service academy 
review board for both Bill and me, and has served as chairman of this 
group for the last 10 years. He has done a remarkable job in helping me 
select the finest individuals to serve our country in the service 
academies. Ed's love of the military has made him a tremendous resource 
for Rolla and the surrounding area in his official duties as liaison to 
Fort Leonard Wood and the U.S. Army. He is over 80 years old, yet he 
continues to remain on the cutting edge of knowledge about his 
community and Fort Leonard Wood.
  At the age of 18, Colonel Owsley joined Company I, 138th Infantry, 
Missouri National Guard and was First Sergeant of the Company when it 
was called to active duty on December 23, 1940. He served overseas 
during World War II as Second Lieutenant of Infantry on various troop 
and staff assignments in the Far East Campaigns. After he returned from 
the war, he served at Headquarters, Seventh Corps Area, Omaha, Nebraska 
as Executive for U.S. Army Recruiting for a five state area. He was 
promoted in 1948 to Lt. Colonel and assigned to the Missouri Military 
District as Deputy for recruiting, and Field Representative to the 
Selective Service System. He served at Fort Leonard Wood as the 
Assistant Chief of Staff during the Korean build-up and was promoted to 
Colonel. After serving in the Pentagon, Colonel Ed returned to Fort 
Leonard Wood for his final years of service.
  In addition to serving his country, this dedicated man has served 
Rolla, Missouri in so many ways, since he retired the U.S. Army in 
1966. After serving as the Executive Director for the Rolla Area 
Chamber of Commerce from 1967 to 1989, he helped form the Rolla 
Community Development Corporation. This non-profit organization aims at 
providing jobs and industrial development opportunities for the area. 
Col. Owsley still serves the RCDC as treasurer. While the City Council 
will miss Col. Ed, I doubt he is truly retiring. In his first 85-plus 
years, he has brought so much to those who have crossed his path. With 
his outgoing spirit and enthusiasm for life, I am sure he will continue 
to serve his community as long as he is able.

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