[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 154 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING MR. WALTER COWART OF SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 14, 2011

  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor one of the 
7th District of Missouri's most distinguished individuals, Walter 
Cowart.
  Walter, a resident of Springfield, Missouri, retired this summer 
after working in the United States Small Business Administration, SBA, 
for over 35 years.
  Walter got off to a great start in college. There, he majored in 
economics at Sewanee, the University of the South, in Sewanee, 
Tennessee, as part of the class of 1964.
  Cowart's career with SBA started in Lubbock, TX in 1976. In 1979, he 
Moved to the Kansas City, Missouri office as the Chief of Portfolio 
Management. He then transferred to Springfield, Missouri when the 
Branch Office opened there in 1981. He was recognized as the Region VII 
Regional Employee of the Year in 1997 and was presented his award by 
former Congressman Roy Blunt at the Springfield Branch Office. He was 
appointed Branch Manager in 2008.
  As Branch Manager, Walter was an advocate for small business in the 
28 counties served by the Springfield Branch of the Kansas City 
District. He oversaw efforts to expand and develop the small business 
community in southwest Missouri with the help of SBA lending partners.
  Walter was also a member of the Springfield Planning and Zoning 
Commission from March 1984 until January 1991 and was a member of the 
Board of the Springfield Public Building Corporation from May 1991 
until January 2002.
  Walter has been married to his wife Laura for over 38 years. They 
both retired at the end of August; Walter from the SBA and Laura from 
the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources 
Conservation Service.
  Walter and Laura like to spend their free time with their family. 
They are blessed with three children and two grandchildren. Walter and 
Laura are spending their retirement with their family, friends, and are 
currently cruising across the rivers of Europe.
  Although I am sad to see him go, I wish Walter a happy retirement. 
The SBA was fortunate to call him an employee, those of us who live in 
Springfield are proud to call him a neighbor, but most importantly, I 
am lucky to call him a friend. I hope Walter and Laura enjoy their 
retirement and wish them and their family the best in the future.

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