[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 133 (Friday, August 1, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                HONORING THE LIFE OF DURWARD WARREN OWEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2025

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I offer these remarks in honor of Mr. 
Durward W. Owen, a beloved member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and a 
giant in the interfraternal world, who passed away on Easter Sunday 
April 20th at the age of 94.
  A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Mr. Owen was born on August 30, 1930. 
His roots in the Roanoke Valley and love for that part of Virginia 
remained for years, no matter where he and his family lived. As a 
young, promising talent in baseball, Mr. Owen received a scholarship to 
play catcher at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia where he was 
initiated into the Xi Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity.
  Through Mr. Owen's time at Roanoke College, he grew as a young adult 
and matured. Around this time in 1952, he married the love of his life, 
Hazel Claudine ``Connie'' Manning. He also served his country in the 
U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. Following his military service, Mr. Owen 
returned to Roanoke College to finish his studies before graduating in 
1955.
  An integral part of Mr. Owen's college life and later his adult life 
was the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. The organization helped shape Mr. Owen 
and provided him and opportunity to foster lifelong friendship and a 
commitment consistent with the mission, vision and values of the 
Fraternity. Shortly after his graduation from Roanoke College, Mr. Owen 
was recruited to begin his career with the organization, working first 
in South Carolina before relocating to North Carolina.
  His service to Pi Kappa Phi included his role as National Executive 
Secretary, later renamed Executive Director. In a span of 35 years, Mr. 
Owen's disciplined leadership and unique vision resulted in the 
Fraternity's growth from 46 chapters to 136 chapters nationally and led 
to Pi Kappa Phi being recognized among the country's most important 
Greek organizations.
  Other significant accomplishments and pursuits of Mr. Owen included 
the creation of a national philanthropic organization, PUSH, Inc., for 
Pi Kappa Phi. PUSH, now known as the Ability Experience, which strives 
to instill a passion for lifelong service in fraternity members while 
helping to empower people living with disabilities. Mr. Owen also 
developed the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation, an educational foundation of the 
fraternity and provides funding for the educational and leadership 
programs of the Greater Fraternity.
  Thanks to Mr. Owen's exceptional work, Pi Kappa Phi's direction has 
positively impacted the lives of more than 160,000 young men. I know 
this, because I myself am a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. I was 
invited to membership in 2013, well after my undergraduate experience 
at Emory & Henry College. The invitation to membership came from 
Roanoke-area friends who were active alumni in the Fraternity's chapter 
at Roanoke College.
  I am thankful for the opportunity to become a member of Pi Kappa Phi 
and to witness the important role the organization has in creating an 
uncommon and lifelong brotherhood that develops leaders and encourages 
service to others for the betterment of our communities. I, along with 
all members of Pi Kappa Phi, owe Mr. Owen a debt of gratitude for his 
help in making shaping this organization that has impacted me and 
thousands of other men.
  Roanoke College later recognized Mr. Owen for his outstanding 
qualities of integrity, leadership and citizenship that Maroons hold 
dear. In 2020, Roanoke awarded Mr. Owen its highest honor for alumni, 
the Roanoke College Medal. A scholarship was also created in Mr. Owen's 
honor to recognize an exemplary Roanoke College student and Fraternity 
member who has exhibited superior leadership skills.
  Durward is survived by three children--Melissa Luer (Bill) of New 
Orleans, Louisiana, David Owen (Leigh Ann) of Greenville, South 
Carolina and Sally Jackson (Bill) of Huntersville, North Carolina. He 
is also survived by eight grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 
numerous nieces and nephews.
  Mr. Owen's ceaseless dedication and service to Pi Kappa Phi 
Fraternity and to his community will be missed by many. He will be 
remembered by the brotherhood as a visionary, a leader and a dear 
friend.

                          ____________________