[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15223]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RAY M. BOWEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. 
Ray M. Bowen, President of Texas A&M University, America's 5th largest 
university. At the end of this month, Dr. Bowen will be stepping down 
as the university's 21st President, a position in which he has served 
with distinction since he took office in June 1994.
  Under Dr. Bowen's leadership, Texas A&M has become one of the finest 
universities in our nation. Academic programs have been enhanced and 
recognized for excellence. Most recently, Texas A&M was invited to join 
the prestigious American Association of Universities.
  Additionally, during Dr. Bowen's tenure, the George Bush Presidential 
Library and Museum Center was opened and formally dedicated. Dr. Bowen 
seized this opportunity to increase the stature of the university 
throughout the world. And, he has initiated an ambitious program, 
``Vision 2020,'' which is designed to propel Texas A&M into the ranks 
as one of the top-ten best public universities in the nation by the 
year 2020. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Bowen has also successfully completed a 
major capital campaign exceeding its $500 million goal by more than 
$137 million and has already begun a second campaign entitled ``One 
Spirit, One Vision.''
  Dr. Bowen's extensive educational background began when he received 5 
Bachelor of Science and Doctoral degrees from Texas A&M in the field of 
Engineering. He earned a Master's degree at the California Institute of 
Technology and served with distinction as a faculty member at Louisiana 
State University, Rice University, and the University of Kentucky.
  Immediately before joining Texas A&M, Dr. Bowen served as interim 
President and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at 
Oklahoma State University. Additionally, Dr. Bowen served as a staff 
member on two occasions at the National Science Foundation, where he 
most recently served as Deputy Assistant Director for Engineering and 
Acting Assistant Director for Engineering and earlier as Director of 
the Division of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics.
  Along with carrying the title as educator, Dr. Bowen served his 
nation serving in the United States Air Force, where he functioned as a 
faculty member of the Air Force Institute of Technology.
  Mr. Speaker, to express their profound appreciation for the work of 
Dr. Bowen, the Board of Regents at Texas A&M University has conferred 
upon him the title of President Emeritus, to be effective on the day 
after his departure from the role of President.
  For my part, having the privilege of representing the Aggies for the 
past six years in Congress, I fail to find adequate words to express my 
appreciation and deep respect for this unique gentleman.
  Dr. Bowen is quiet and intelligent, wonderfully organized and highly 
disciplined. He has a commanding presence, yet he is as much at home 
mingling with students and watching an Aggie baseball game as he is 
discussing education policy with Texas and America's political leaders 
and advanced technologies with the nation's brightest scientific minds.
  As you would imagine, he has surrounded himself with an outstanding 
and dedicated staff and faculty which reflect his innate leadership as 
well as his desire to bring out the best in those around him.
  I will not soon forget the tragic Bonfire collapse in November 1999, 
nor Dr. Bowen's calm, compassionate and reassuring leadership during 
those terribly difficult days and months. Through it all, in public and 
private, he remained steadfastly focused on the families of those 
injured and the Aggie family that leaned upon him so heavily.
  It is said the times that future generations elect to recall are not 
those of ease and prosperity, but of adversity bravely borne. Dr. Bowen 
and his team bore this unimaginable adversity with dignity and purpose.
  I am proud to call him my friend. This university and this nation are 
better for his service.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all the students, faculty, former students, 
and friends of Texas A&M University, I am proud to recognize Dr. Bowen 
for his outstanding achievements and contributions bestowed not only 
upon Texas A&M University, but also this great nation.

                          ____________________