[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 105 (Wednesday, September 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MILES CONRAD OWENS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 2004

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the 
members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) International Union and UAW 
local 651 to pay tribute to Miles Conrad Owens who is retiring from the 
position of UAW International Union Staff Representative.
  Miles Owens was born October 19, 1942 in Cairo, Illinois. He 
graduated with honors from Beecher High School in 1960. Upon graduation 
he enrolled at the General Motors Institute (GMI), located in Flint, 
Michigan. With his enrollment came employment within GM's Flint 
Assembly Plant. Miles studied at GMI until he transferred in 1962 to 
Mott Community College. He graduated from Mott College in 1967. While 
studying at Mott he acquired a position with A.C. Spark Plug as an 
experimental model-maker apprentice and journeyman.
  Miles' career within the UAW began in 1962 as a member of UAW Local 
651. As a member of the union he held positions as an alternate, 
district, and shop committeeman from 1968-1981. In 1981 he was elected 
President, and in 1983 he attained the appointed staff representative 
position with the UAW International Union, from which he will retire on 
July 31, 2004. Miles is a strong positive role model for his fellow 
members and the community. Throughout his career he has made 
significant, long-term contributions to improving the lives and working 
conditions of the men and women who build America's automobiles.
  In addition to being a strong leader amongst the workforce, Miles is 
a member of several community boards and organizations. He serves with 
the Flushing Board of Education, United Way, American Heart 
Association, Boy Scouts of America, Insight, Greater Flint Health 
Coalition, and Hurley Hospital HHS Board to just name a few. Miles has 
achieved much in his lifetime. Some of those milestones include, but 
not limited to, Explorer Scout, Representative of the Decade from 1960-
1970 in the Decades of Education Ceremony for Beecher High School, 
recipient of the Walter Reuther Award, selected to hold the post of 
Worshipful Master of Flushing Masonic Lodge #225 in 1991, attained the 
title of 32nd Degree Mason, and is a member of the Shriners.
  Miles is also a devoted husband to his loving wife Shirley Ann and 
supportive father to their wonderful son Miles.
  Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I consider it my duty and my 
privilege to protect and defend human dignity and the quality of life 
for our citizens. I am extremely grateful to have a person like Miles 
Conrad Owens who shares these beliefs, and has made it his life's work 
to see this task achieved. I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to 
please join me in congratulating Miles, and wishing him the best in 
future endeavors.

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