[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 92 (Friday, May 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF JANET OWENS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN H. RUTHERFORD

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 15, 2020

  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Janet 
Owens, an inspirational community leader and advocate, who passed away 
on April 8th after a long battle with cancer. Janet was the executive 
director of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation's (LISC) 
Jacksonville office for 10 years, serving as a tireless advocate for 
residents and communities. Under her leadership, new affordable housing 
was financed, community centers were created to improve financial 
stability, playing fields were renovated, and local nonprofit 
organizations were made stronger. I am saddened by her passing, but 
honored to recognize her dedication and longtime commitment to the 
people and neighborhoods that Janet fought to improve every day of her 
life.
  Janet was first and foremost a community servant, focused on 
empowering people and organizations as well as equipping them with the 
right information and resources. A significant part of her career was 
spent in public service. She worked in city government in Greenville, 
South Carolina; Adrian, Michigan; and Washington, D.C. Her service 
continued after leaving government and was extended in the private 
sector where she served as Vice President of United Way of Northeast 
Florida and held positions with the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council and 
Volunteer Jacksonville.
  At LISC, Janet was a tremendous driving force in advancing the 
organization's mission to help under-resourced neighborhoods in 
Jacksonville. She believed these neighborhoods were ripe for 
opportunity and renewal, and her leadership ensured that public and 
private resources benefitted those most in need. Since its opening in 
1999, LISC Jacksonville has invested nearly $500 million in the 
community, creating 2,100 affordable homes and 1.7 million square feet 
of space for commercial, community, and educational facilities. Most 
notably, Janet was the driving force behind LISC Jacksonville's 
investment in several pivotal historic preservation projects in 
downtown Jacksonville, including the Barnett Bank and Laura Street 
Trio.
  Janet's commitment to community development extended well beyond her 
professional life. She was involved in a range of volunteer activities 
and was acknowledged for her commitment with numerous awards and 
accolades over the course of her life. In 2019, she was the recipient 
of the University of North Florida's OneJax Humanitarian Award, which 
recognized her integrity, generosity, and dedication to improving the 
relationships among Jacksonville's diverse populations. Leadership 
Jacksonville also acknowledged her as an outstanding community trustee 
during its 2018 Leadership Celebration. The Girl Scouts Gateway Council 
bestowed their Women of Distinction Award to Janet in honor of her 
career accomplishments, service to others and impact on the Northeast 
Florida community.
  Janet was a true advocate for the underserved, and her legacy of 
community service will live on through her accomplishments both in 
Florida and nationally. I ask the House of Representatives to join me 
in celebrating her life of public service and extend deepest 
condolences to her mother, Mamie Garrett; her beloved husband of 
thirty-seven years, Gregory Owens; their three children Greg, Garrett 
and Morgan; and her grandchildren, siblings, relatives and friends.

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