[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10051]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATING THERESA LOU BOWICK

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2012

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Theresa Lou 
Bowick, BSN, RN upon the realization of her vision and to recognize her 
for her dedication to the Rochester, New York community.
  July 7, 2012 will mark the official kick off of the Conkey Cruisers, 
a free neighborhood ``biking to better health'' program that will 
journey throughout the northeast crescent of Rochester, otherwise known 
as the Conkey-Clifford Neighborhood. The Conkey Cruisers is an official 
501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has singlehandedly unified an 
inner city neighborhood by addressing two important factors: crime and 
health.
  Just one year ago, Ms. Bowick was out running in her neighborhood 
when she had two disturbing encounters. First, a young boy called out 
to her, ``Hey, lady! Are you on probation?'' He assumed that Ms. Bowick 
was running from the police, as he apparently had little understanding 
of any other reason for running in that particular neighborhood. Soon 
after, an older man accused Ms. Bowick of being an undercover cop, 
boldly stating, ``She is the police, because nobody exercises in this 
neighborhood!''
  These encounters inspired Ms. Bowick to start an exercise program in 
the ConkeyClifford Neighborhood. The program advocates ``Getting fit, 
one street, one person, one bike at a time.'' As a registered nurse, 
Ms. Bowick understands the health benefits of regular exercise, 
particularly at a time when our nation is experiencing an epidemic of 
obesity. Her efforts are getting an entire neighborhood up and moving, 
all the while restoring safety and a sense of home back to the 
residents.
  The signature black, yellow and white Conkey Cruiser t-shirts can now 
be seen daily on the streets of Conkey Avenue, as neighbors both young 
and old exercise on their bikes. Beginning July 7th, youth from the 
Conkey-Clifford neighborhood will participate in the six-week, five 
days a week free Conkey Cruisers program, which provides an 
introduction to safe bicycling and healthy eating, as well as an 
opportunity to earn President Obama's Active Lifestyle Award.
  I am proud that such dedicated individuals call my district home, and 
that they have committed themselves to improving their neighborhoods, 
increasing safety, and pursuing health for all of our residents. I ask 
my colleagues to join me in honoring Theresa Lou Bowick and the Conkey 
Cruisers.

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