[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING FORMER CONGRESSMAN MAJOR OWENS

  (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this week, New York City lost a Brooklyn 
original and our Nation lost a tireless champion for the powerless.
  Representative Major Owens' district included parts of my current 
district, and I can attest firsthand that he was beloved throughout 
Brooklyn.
  A librarian before entering politics, service to community was simply 
part of who he was--and that is reflected by his accomplishments. His 
work led to the creation of the YouthBuild initiative at HUD, which, to 
this day, creates opportunity for thousands of disadvantaged youth 
through construction in low-income communities.
  Major will also be remembered for his work on the Americans with 
Disabilities Act. Always a voice for the voiceless, he shepherded that 
historic bill to enactment, creating a more just society for millions 
of Americans.
  He is, perhaps, the only Member of Congress known for composing rap 
lyrics. Performing at open mic sessions, he spoke to the issues of our 
time, addressing peace, war, poverty, and social justice through the 
power of hip-hop.
  Mr. Speaker, those of us in New York and Brooklyn today mourn the 
loss of a neighbor, while our Nation honors the passing of its public 
servant.
  I hope all my colleagues join me in paying tribute to and remembering 
our friend and former colleague, Major Owens.

                          ____________________