[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 40 (Thursday, March 8, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF INDIANA STATE SENATOR ANITA BOWSER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE DONNELLY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2007

  Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of 
distinguished Indiana State Senator Anita Bowser. Senator Bowser, age 
86, succumbed to breast cancer peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, March 
4, 2007.
  Senator Bowser's career in public service began in 1980 upon her 
election to the Indiana House of Representatives. As a member of House, 
she became the first female House Speaker as she acted as the Deputy 
Speaker Pro-Tempore. In 1992 she was elected to the State Senate where 
she served as the representative of Indiana's 8th District until her 
recent passing. Senator Bowser was known among her colleagues as both a 
constitutional scholar and the ``Conscience of the Senate.'' She worked 
tirelessly as an advocate for Hoosiers' civil rights and liberties. Her 
later career was defined by her efforts to reform Indiana's capital 
punishment laws. She was a prominent member of the Correctional, 
Criminal and Civil Matters; Education and Career Development; Ethics; 
and Judiciary committees, as well as the Committee of Pensions and 
Labors, on which she served as the senior Democrat.
  Senator Bowser's illustrious service was commemorated by many awards 
including the Louis Ingelhart Award for Freedom of Expression, the 
Amnesty International Abolitionist of the Year Award, and she was a 
two-time recipient of the Robert Dole Owen Legislator of the Year Award 
from the Indiana Civil Liberties Union.
  Prior to her career in the State legislature, Senator Bowser earned 
several graduate degrees including a law degree from the McKinley 
School of Law at Kent State University and a doctoral degree from the 
University of Notre Dame. She was a founding member of Purdue 
University North Central where she taught as a professor of Political 
Science. Senator Bowser was also a founding member of the Barker Woods 
Enrichment Center which provided childcare and educational services for 
children with special needs in Michigan City, Indiana.
  Senator Bowser's legacy as a public servant will be defined by her 
passionate advocacy and her legislative integrity. She will be dearly 
missed by her family, her constituents, and all Hoosiers. It is with 
great pride and honor that I celebrate the life and service of Indiana 
State Senator Anita Bowser.

                          ____________________