[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1175-E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO REGINALD H. BOWMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reginald H. Bowman for 
his outstanding community service and activism.
  Reginald H. Bowman is a well-known community activist with more than 
30 years in the Ocean Hill-Brownsville neighborhood. Known as a 
``Street Comer'' activist who has been on the front line in every 
movement, since the late Rev. Milton Galamison boycotted the NYC public 
schools. He has led numerous civic demonstrations with grassroots 
activists on various civil rights issues, including schools, jails, 
housing, transportation, and economic development.

[[Page E1176]]

  Mr. Bowman is a product of the New York City Public Schools and the 
Upward Bound Program created by the civil rights leaders, such as Dr. 
C.T. Vivian and Dr. Bernard Lafayette. He also attended the New York 
City University System under the SEEK Program. Since moving to the 
Brownsville community, he has served with distinction on Community 
Board 16 and co-founded the Business and Community Coalition to Save 
Brownsville.
  Mr. Bowman is also an II-year member of Community School Board 23, 
most notably as its President from 1999 to the present. Under Mr. 
Bowman's leadership, the School District launched a comprehensive 
strategy of sixteen directives, entitled ``Creating a National Model of 
Urban Education.'' These initiatives improved academic performance in 
the district, led to the removal of all but one school from the SURR 
list, the building of Teachers High School, the creation of the P.S. 
156/Gifted Middle School Project, and the removal of Community School 
District 23 from the Chancellor's Districts in Need of Improvement 
list.
  He is also presently the Chairman of the Council of Presidents of 
Brooklyn East and the 1st Vice President of the City-wide Council of 
the New York City Housing Authority. His innovative approach to 
strategic planning and framing issues in context for effective civic 
action, led to paving the road in the Brooklyn East public housing 
community, for access to cable television, the Task Force Initiatives 
framework, and more access to Section 3 Jobs. These initiatives also 
help to frame the speedy response to resident issues and are helping to 
reposition and put a human face on the Public Housing residents of New 
York City.
  Currently, Mr. Bowman is on the staff of U.S. Congressman Major R. 
Owens. He has also served as an inspirational founder and leader of a 
variety of groups and organizations. As a result, he is regarded as an 
``authentic grassroots community activist and a servant of the 
community.'' In addition, Mr. Bowman has been married to Jenny Ortiz-
Bowman for 23 years and is the proud father of six children and 
grandfather of four. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, Reginald Bowman's 
accomplishments and commitment to his community are more than worthy of 
our recognition today.

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