Congresswoman Waters' Statement on the Passing of Former Congressman Major Owens

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) released the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Major Owens who represented New York‘s 11th Congressional District:

"For more than two decades, Congressman Major Owens served the citizens of Brooklyn, New York in the United States Congress. He was a humble man of great character and dedicated his life to public service. Congressman Owens was an extremely important member of the U.S. House of Representatives, who was an expert in education policy. In Congress, he fought to secure $100 million in federal funds for historically black colleges and spearheaded efforts to increase federal involvement in reducing high school dropout rates.

"Congressman Owens used his position within the halls of Congress and in the community to ensure that every American lived a better life. Congressman Owens provided leadership within the Congressional Black Caucus fighting for the rights of minorities in addition to advocating for workers and the poor and middle class families. Congressman Owens was also an advocate for disabled Americans playing an instrumental role in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in Congress.

"It was an honor to serve with him as a colleague and a privilege to know him as a dear friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Maria and his family during this very difficult time."

###