[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1426]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT BENNIE F. BOWERS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 9, 2012

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Bennie 
F. Bowers, Jr., a native of Benton Harbor, Michigan, who is retiring 
from the Michigan State Police after 25 years of impeccable service.
  It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Lieutenant Bowers on 
his impressive and inspiring service record to the state of Michigan. 
His 25 years of steadfast community involvement have helped keep 
Michigan safe, and have made all of us from Southwest Michigan 
extremely proud. Lieutenant Bowers' renowned career includes protecting 
Michigan's citizens while posted at Michigan State Police's Battle 
Creek Post, Paw Paw District Headquarters and Regional Dispatch, 
Detroit Post, and most recently, the Metro Post. His selfless actions 
have made a real difference to folks within and outside of my district 
for decades. Lt. Bowers used innovative methods to enforce law. He was 
never satisfied with the status quo, and always worked to improve the 
communities in which he worked. He was respected by his peers and known 
as one to ``lead by example.''
  Lt. Bowers' leadership is exemplified in his founding of the Michigan 
Youth Leadership Academy. Lt. Bowers recognized the importance of 
fostering discipline, respect, leadership, and teamwork in our youth. 
His efforts assisted in the reduction of youth crime and ingrained 
skills which those youth will carry with them for their whole lives. 
Lt. Bowers was also instrumental in the Michigan State Police Explorer 
Program, a program that works with youth interested in pursuing a 
career in law enforcement. Part of Lt. Bowers' legacy will be the youth 
he influenced to serve as Michigan's next generation of law enforcement 
officers.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Lt. Bowers' inspiring commitment 
to our great state and my constituents. I applaud Bennie on a fine 
career and wish him the best of luck in his retirement and future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________