[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 28 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE FAMILY OF EVA BOWMAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Eva Bowman and her 
late husband, Ralph, for their commitment to education and, 
specifically, for their commitment to the Wray School District located 
on the eastern plains of Colorado.
  The Bowmans' dedication to and involvement in the school districts of 
East Yuma County spans five generations. As a young girl, Eva rode her 
horse to school southeast of Wray. That schoolhouse was made of sod. It 
was heated using wood and cow chips. She graduated from Laird High 
School. Her father, Fred Peterson, was also active in education and 
served as a member of the Starnes County School Board at the turn of 
the last century. Ralph attended the nearby East Beecher Island County 
School, but had to quit after the eighth grade in order to work on the 
farm.
  Because he was not able to finish his education, Ralph felt it was 
very important for his children and his grandchildren to receive a good 
education. All three of the Bowman children graduated from Wray High 
School. The ten Bowman grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren all 
attend or have graduated from the schools within East Yuma County. By 
the time the Bowmans' youngest great granddaughter completes her 
schooling, their family will be celebrating well over 100 years of 
education within these wonderful educational institutions.
  As an additional testament to their devotion, Eva recently donated 
$200,000 to the Wray School District wind turbine project on behalf of 
her late husband, Ralph, and her children, Jean Brophy, Geraldine 
Baird, and Jack Bowman. Upon completion, the wind turbine project will 
make Wray the first school district in Colorado to own a renewable 
energy source.
  Recently, when her loving grandson Michael was talking to his 
grandmother, they commented on the technological changes Eva has 
experienced during her life. Michael praised his grandmother for her 
excitement about life, and she said, ``I am not afraid to die; I just 
wish I could keep on living so I can see what happens next.'' That 
epitomizes the kind of woman Eva Bowman is.
  Mr. Speaker, it is people of optimism, perseverance, and commitment 
to education, like Eva and Ralph, that make America the strong, 
innovative country that it is today. We owe the Bowmans a heart of 
gratitude for setting such a positive example for all of us to follow.

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