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 June 28, 1936 Collierville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | October 21, 2013 (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 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.