Contributor

Rep. Bill Owens

U.S. Representative from New York’s 21st Congressional District

Congressman Bill Owens has represented New York’s 21st (formerly New York’s 23rd district) Congressional District since November of 2009. Before being elected to Congress in a special election to fill the vacancy created by former-Rep. John McHugh’s appointment to Secretary of the Army, Bill had never run for public office. Now, as the Representative for the second largest congressional district east of the Mississippi, Bill is working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help create jobs and economic opportunity for hardworking New York families.

Bill has made his home in the North Country for over thirty years. After graduating from law school, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a Captain at Plattsburgh Air Force Base. After completing his service, Bill decided to stay in the North Country, where he built a successful practice and raised three children with his wife, Jane.

Throughout his life in Plattsburgh, Bill has worked closely with his community to help promote economic development. He was the managing partner of a local small business law firm, and used that experience to join a handful of other community leaders in helping to recruit businesses from Canada to Upstate New York.

As a Member of Congress, Bill is working to continue those efforts and help communities build a successful plan for economic development. As a Member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Defense and Homeland Security Subcommittees, Bill is working to strengthen existing resources in the region that are vital to job creation and the local economy, including Fort Drum and the Canadian border. Bill also spends time traveling New York’s 21st district meeting with small business owners, local economic development leaders, colleges and schools, elected officials and other constituents to discuss ways he can help individual communities capitalize on their unique strengths, advantages and resources.

Bill and Jane still reside in Plattsburgh. They have three grown children and four grandchildren

January 26, 2014

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