[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 23, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1219]
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

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
American and a great Missourian, Colonel Edward Owsley, who passed away 
Monday at the age of 91. Colonel Owsley represented the best attributes 
of our Nation, through his service and sacrifice to our Nation in World 
War II, and of our state, by returning to Missouri to improve our 
community in every way he could.
  In his 26 years of active military service, Colonel Owsley attained 
the rank of colonel. He served with honor in the Far East Campaigns 
during World War II. Colonel Owsley retired in 1966, after his final 
duty as chief of staff at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.
  But Colonel Ed (as we called him) did not stop serving our Nation 
when he retired from his post. As state president of the Association of 
the United States Army, Colonel Owsley combined his love of country 
with his love of the Army. As a member of the board that guided the 
military academy selection process with the Eighth District 
Congressional office, first for Bill and then for me, I knew Colonel Ed 
as an honest and fair man.
  As active as he was on military matters, Colonel Ed was even more 
involved in our communities. For 20 years, he acted as executive vice 
president of the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce. He served his 
community as a member of the Rolla City Council. Many of the building 
and development initiatives in and around Rolla over the last 40 years 
reflect his involvement.
  Colonel Owsley was a man you identified with the city of Rolla. His 
work on behalf of the community was not for personal gain--it was the 
result of his patriotism and civic pride. It is too bad he was one-of-
a-kind, because we need more good Americans like him. But he has 
provided a tremendous example of selflessness and volunteerism to guide 
the leaders of tomorrow. That spirit is his best legacy.
  Colonel Ed was a true friend of Missouri. A vocal man, to be sure, 
but a man who always followed up his words with deeds. His death is a 
great loss to the American people. We will miss him dearly.

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