Owens, Major, 1936-2013

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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.

Owens was born on June 28, 1936 in Collierville, Tennessee, to Ezekiel and Edna Owens. He was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and his father worked in a furniture factory as a laborer. He received a bachelor's degree in 1956 from Morehouse College, and a master's degree in library science in 1957 from Atlanta University, now known as Clark Atlanta.

Owens began his career in librarianship. After obtaining his master's degree, Owens settled in Brooklyn, New York and began his career as a librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library from 1958 through the late 1960s. At the same time, Owens became active in the Congress of Racial Equality and other community groups. Owens, a community information librarian, became known for "placing Brooklyn Public Library collections in public places such as laundromats, stores, bars, and anywhere people gathered." In 1969, Owens worked with a group of other New York librarians, including Miriam Braverman, Anne Littlejohn, Betty-Carol Sellen, Joan Marshall, Hardy R. Franklin, Pat Schuman, Andrew Armitage, and Mitch Freedman, to establish the New York Social Responsibilities Round Table. This organization became part of the New York Library Association and its mission was "to create a central position for libraries and librarians in the battles for civil rights, social justice, peace, and ever-improved public access to education and information."

Although having moved from his career in librarianship into his political career, in 1979 and 1991, Owens was a featured speaker at the White House Conference on Libraries. In 1996, Owens received the American Library Association's highest honor—honorary membership.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Records of the Office of Speechwriting (Clinton Administration), 1993 - 2001. Michael Waldman's Files, 1995 - 2000 William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
referencedIn Records of Temporary Committees, Commissions, and Boards, 1893 - 2008. Press Releases, 1989 - 1/3/1992 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Guide to the Daily Worker and Daily World Photographs Collection, 1920-2001 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Public Liaison (Clinton Administration), 1993 - 2001. Alexis Herman's Files , ca. 1993 - ca. 1996 William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
referencedIn Arnie Goldwag Brooklyn Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) collection, Bulk, 1961-1971, 1943-2007 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief of Staff (Clinton Administration). 1993 - 2001. Leon Panetta's Files, ca. 1993 - ca. 2001 William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
referencedIn Social Service Employees Union Photographs, Bulk, 1965-1995, 1952-2008 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Records of Temporary Committees, Commissions, and Boards, 1893 - 2008. Speeches and Congressional Testimony, 1990 - 1991 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Task Force on National Health Care (Clinton Administration), 1993 - 1994. Steven Edelstein's Files, 1993 - 1994 William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
memberOf American Library Association corporateBody
employeeOf Brooklyn Public Library person
alumnusOrAlumnaOf Clark University (Atlanta, Ga.) corporateBody
associatedWith Committee for Peace Organization. corporateBody
associatedWith Communist Party of the United States of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Congress of Racial Equality. corporateBody
associatedWith Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter. corporateBody
associatedWith End the Draft Committee. corporateBody
associatedWith Goldwag, Arnold person
alumnusOrAlumnaOf Morehouse College (Atlanta, Ga.) corporateBody
employeeOf New York (N.Y.). Human Resources Administration. Community Development Agency. corporateBody
memberOf New York (State). Legislature. Senate corporateBody
associatedWith Social Service Employees Union. Local 371. corporateBody
memberOf United States. Congress. House person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Collierville TN US
New York City NY US
Atlanta GA US
Memphis TN US
Subject
Occupation
Civil rights workers
Librarians
Professors (teacher)
Representatives, U.S. Congress
State Senator
Activity

Person

Birth 1936-06-28

Death 2013-10-21

Male

Americans

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 85334748