Friends of Major Owens
P.O. Box 2265, Brooklyn, NY 11202

THIS PAGE IS ARCHIVED AND HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2004

Biography:

Hon. Major Robert Odell Owens,
Member, U.S. House of Representatives
Democrat, 11th Congressional District, Brooklyn, NY

First elected to House:
November, 1982

Predecessor:
Hon. Shirley Chisholm

Birthdate:
June 28, 1936

Race:
African American

Zodiac Sign:
Cancer

Birthplace:
Memphis (Collierville), Tennessee

Parents:
Ezekiel and Hannah Owens

Siblings:
4 brothers, 3 sisters

High School:
Hamilton High School

College:
Morehouse College (Mathematics Major), 1956
Ford Foundation Scholarship

Classmates included Maynard Jackson, former Atlanta Mayor,
Don Clendenon, former NY Mets star, and
Rev. William Guy, Atlanta, father of actress Jasmine Guy

Owens met his future wife, Ethel Werfel, at Morehouse College.

Masters Degree from Atlanta University in Library Science, 1957

Profession:
Librarian

Note: Owens is the first professional librarian to be elected either
to the NY State Legislature or the U.S. Congress.

Employment:
Brooklyn Public Library
Brownsville Community Council (Executive Director)
NYC Community Development Agency (Commissioner)
Columbia University (Adjunct Professor)
New York State Senate (1975-1982)
U.S. House of Representatives (1983-Present)

Activities:
Chair, Brooklyn Chapter, Congress Of Racial Equality (1963-1966)
Vice President, Metropolitan Council on Housing (1963-1966)
Candidate, City Council of New York (1965)
Founding Member, Coalition for Community Empowerment (1982)

Family:
Spouse - Maria Cuprill Owens
Children - Carlos Cuprill, Cecilia Cuprill

Previous Marriage - Ethel Werfel Owens
Children - Chris Owens - President, Community School Board
13, Brooklyn, New York

Geoffrey Owens - Actor; "Elvin" on THE COSBY SHOW,
THE PAPER (Ron Howard)

Millard Owens - Community Activist and Economic
Development Specialist, Self-Help Credit Union, Raleigh, NC.
Made national news after being attacked
by Skinheads in Asheville, NC, in 1992.

Hobbies:
Writing political commentary, Owens is now known
as "The Rapping Congressman" who writes and presents
"Egghead Raps" both on the floor of the House and in
local venues in his District.

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