[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 117 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO FRANCES OWENS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the First 
Lady of Colorado, Frances Owens. Frances is a compassionate and 
intelligent woman whose dedication and commitment to her family and 
fellow citizens is renowned and unprecedented. Long before she became 
Colorado's First Lady, Frances was an education advocate for children 
and a dedicated servant to her fellow Coloradans. I am honored to stand 
before this body of Congress and this nation to recognize her many 
accomplishments.
  Frances is a Colorado native, spending her childhood in Texas before 
returning to Colorado to receive a degree in Art History from the 
University of Colorado at Denver. She began campaigning for former 
Senator Bill Armstrong in the late 1970's and served as the Associate 
Director of the Colorado Council on Economic Education. Frances, who is 
married to current Governor Bill Owens for twenty-nine years, has three 
children: Monica, Mark, and Brett. She is actively involved in her 
children's academic careers.
  On January 12, 1999, Frances became the First Lady of Colorado, where 
she has made important strides for Colorado in public service by 
actively volunteering her time to various charitable projects and 
organizations throughout the state and by serving on boards such as the 
Children's Hospital Cardiac Care Center, and the Colorado Opera. 
Frances is a dedicated advocate for children; her involvement crosses 
into many arenas, including support of Recording for the Blind and 
Dyslexic, Samaritan's Purse-Operation Christmas Child, Make-A-Wish 
Foundation, and the Colorado Historical Society. Frances currently 
serves as the Honorary Chair for Early Childhood Intervention Awareness 
Day, where she continues to champion important issues for Colorado's 
children. Frances widely promotes literacy and children's programs like 
the annual Easter Egg Roll. Her latest honor, given by the Republican 
Women Leadership Forum, was their Humanitarian Award for civic 
involvement.
  Colorado's First Lady is involved in many long-term projects that 
promote the great diversity and vibrant culture of Colorado. She chairs 
the Colorado Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission for the design 
of Colorado's new quarter, which is planned for release in 2006. 
Frances has also been instrumental in the privately funded renovation 
and restoration efforts of the Executive Residence, which was 
originally constructed in 1908.
  Mr. Speaker, Frances Owens is a tremendous asset to the State of 
Colorado. Her impeccable record of dedication and service throughout 
her life is a high standard for any public servant to match. Frances' 
devotion to the State of Colorado has advanced Colorado and certainly 
made it a better place to live and raise a family. I want to thank 
Frances for all of her hard work, and I wish her all the best in her 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________