[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2842]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             IN CELEBRATION OF JOHN COWANS'S 90TH BIRTHDAY

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2012

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor and admiration 
that I congratulate Mr. John Cowans on a significant milestone, his 
90th birthday, which will be on Thursday, March 1, 2012. John will 
celebrate this remarkable milestone with family and friends on 
Saturday, March 3, 2012, at a semi-formal gala in his honor. For over 
32 years John's lasting dedication and irreplaceable presence in 
Northwest Indiana has allowed him the opportunity to touch the lives of 
countless individuals.
  John Cowans was born on March 1, 1922, in Union Springs, Alabama. 
After high school, John devoted six years of his life to serving our 
country in the United States Army. Mr. Cowans then attended Tuskegee 
Institute, earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education, which 
would be the beginning of an influential teaching career. John went on 
to further his education and earned a master's degree in school 
administration from Alabama State Teachers College. John accepted his 
first teaching position at the Morgan County Schools in Decatur, 
Alabama. Later, he moved to Gary, Indiana, and taught science, math, 
and social studies at Charles R. Drew School. His career at Charles R. 
Drew would span 32 years. For his many dedicated years of inspiring 
youth through teaching, he is worthy of the highest praise.
  John Cowans made his mark on history as the first African American 
Vice-President of the Indiana State Teachers Association. Mr. Cowans 
also became President of the Gary Classroom Teachers Association. Mr. 
Cowans's pursuit to push education to greater levels continued, and he 
was instrumental in bringing about a day of recognition for teachers. 
To add to his already extraordinary career, John was a member of the 
National Education Association Assembly of Delegates to the Democratic 
National Convention 1976. John was able to impact the lives of youth 
for generations to come when he contributed to the creation of the 21st 
Century Scholars Program, which today helps to ensure that every 
student in Indiana can afford to attend college in exchange for a good 
citizenship pledge. Mr. Cowans is truly an inspiration, and I am 
grateful for his outstanding contributions to education in Indiana and 
across the nation.
  Mr. Speaker, John Cowans has been an excellent leader in our 
community. Not only has he dedicated his time and efforts selflessly to 
numerous students, teachers, and people of the community, he is also a 
faithful servant of God, loving husband to the late Roberta Emogene 
Matthews, and compassionate father to his five daughters: Carmen, 
Cheryl, Vickie, Judy, and Emelia. I respectfully ask you and my other 
distinguished colleagues to join me in wishing John a very happy 90th 
birthday!

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