[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14345]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MS. GWEN BOWEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2003

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the splendid 
efforts and notable accomplishments of an extraordinary woman in the 
1st Congressional District of Colorado. It is both fitting and proper 
that we recognize this outstanding artist, educator and civic leader 
for her exceptional record of invaluable service. It is to commend this 
outstanding citizen that I rise to honor Ms. Gwen Bowen on the occasion 
of her 50th year teaching dance in Denver, Colorado.
  ``Miss B,'' as she is affectionately known by current and former 
students, was born in Denver, Colorado. She attended McKinley 
Elementary School, Grant Junior High School and graduated from Denver's 
South High School. Following her graduation from the University of 
Denver, she returned to McKinley Elementary School to teach first 
grade. But her love of dance inspired her to pursue a career in dance 
education.
  Ms. Bowen has amassed a distinguished record of service to our 
community. She founded the Gwen Bowen School of Dance where she has 
taught hundreds of young people, middle-aged and senior citizens 
throughout her career--a career distinguished by caring, competence and 
a sense of commitment to the community. Among her many students who 
have pursued professional careers in dance is Lynne Taylor Corbett, 
Tony Award Nominee for her choreography of the Broadway Play, Swing. 
Last year, Ms. Corbett came to Denver to pay tribute to this great lady 
of dance at a fundraiser for Arts for All, an organization founded by 
Ms. Bowen to create a community non-profit facility for all the arts in 
Denver. Despite having taught so many that have made major 
contributions to dance, she believes that her greatest rewards have 
come from teaching dance to blind students and the developmentally 
disabled. It comes as no surprise that Dance Magazine, a national 
publication, has recognized her outstanding contribution to the art of 
dance.
  Ms. Bowen has continually espoused that ``Dancing is a language and 
it touches people in many ways.'' Her life is a testament to this 
belief and while she has been an exceptional educator in dance, she has 
been an educator who teaches young and old alike to pursue meaning in 
their lives as well as the value of giving back to the community.
  Please join me in commending Ms. Gwen Bowen, a distinguished artist 
and educator. It is the strong leadership she exhibits on a daily basis 
that continually enhances our lives and builds a better future for all 
Americans.

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