[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2582-2583]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF GOVERNOR OTIS R. BOWEN, M.D. OF 
                            BREMEN, INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE DONNELLY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2008

  Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
congratulations to Governor Otis R. Bowen, M.D., former Governor of 
Indiana, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Having served two 
consecutive terms as Governor of Indiana, Dr. Bowen's life has been 
marked with great achievements in his work on both a national and local 
level.
  Governor Bowen was born on February 26th, 1918 near Rochester, 
Indiana to Vernie Bowen and Pearl Wright. After graduating from Indiana 
University, he went on to earn his medical degree from Indiana 
University Medical School in 1942. During World War II, he served in 
the army medical corps and was with the first wave of allied troops in 
the invasion of Okinawa in 1945. After discharge, Bowen returned to 
Indiana where he served as county coroner before his election to the 
House of Representatives in 1956. He became minority leader in 1965 and 
served as Speaker of the House through 4 legislative sessions.
  In 1972, Dr. Bowen was elected Governor of Indiana. That year, a 
constitutional amendment was ratified allowing governors to serve 
consecutive, 4-year terms, and in 1976 he became the first governor to 
succeed himself. His tenure in office was marked by a major tax 
restructuring program reducing reliance on property taxes, major 
improvements to state park facilities, development of a statewide 
emergency medical services system, and adoption of a medical 
malpractice law that would later serve as a national model.
  In 1985, Dr. Bowen received the nomination for Secretary of the 
Department of Health and

[[Page 2583]]

Human Services from President Ronald Reagan. After a quick confirmation 
by the Senate, Dr. Bowen served in the cabinet until President Reagan 
left office in January 1989.
  Now retired, Dr. Bowen resides in Bremen, Indiana. He has been 
awarded over twenty-five honorary degrees during his life, including 
one from the University of Notre Dame and another from Baylor 
University.
  So, today I rise to pay tribute to Dr. Bowen for the great 
achievements he has gained not only for himself, but for the people of 
Indiana. His service to this nation is admirable and his legacy serves 
as a great example of a life well-lived.

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