Major Owens

Major Owens
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Shirley Chisholm
Succeeded by	Yvette Clarke
Constituency	12th district (1983–93) 11th district (1993–2007)
Member of the New York State Senate from the 17th district
In office January 1, 1975 – December 31, 1982
Preceded by	Chester J. Straub
Succeeded by	Howard E. Babbush
Personal details
Born	Major Robert Odell Owens (1936-06-28)June 28, 1936 Collierville, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	October 21, 2013(2013-10-21) (aged 77) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Other political affiliations	Democratic Socialists of America
Spouse(s)	Ethel Werfel Maria Cuprill
Children	5, including Geoffrey
Alma mater	Morehouse College (BA) Clark Atlanta University (MS)
Occupation	Librarian
Major Owens's voice Major Owens speaks in support of H.R.3375, the Embassy Employee Compensation Act Recorded May 21, 2002

Major Robert Odell Owens (June 28, 1936 – October 21, 2013) was an American politician and librarian who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2007, representing the New York's 11th and then 12th congressional district. He was first elected to replace retiring Representative Shirley Chisholm. Owens shepherded the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 through the House. He retired at the end of his term in January 2007 and was succeeded by Yvette Clarke.