The Honorable Bill Owens was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1972 and to the Massachusetts Senate in 1974. He was elected to the Senate after having served only one term in the House of Representatives.

Senator Owens held a number of leadership positions, one of which gave him responsibility for oversight of a $7 billion budget as Chairman of the Committee on Human Services and Elderly Affairs.

He took the lead in the Senate to secure $30 million to build Roxbury Community College in his district. Additionally, he led the appropriation fight to build a track and athletic center adjacent to the College. This facility was named the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center to honor the Boston Celtics basketball team captain subsequent to his untimely death.

Bill Owens legislatively created the State Office of Minority Business Assistance (SOMBA) to promote business development and ownership by people of color and women. He also created the Minority Health Commission; the Urban Initiative Fund to provide grants and loans to small businesses and non-profits; in addition to Roxbury Community Trust Fund and China Town Trust Fund, as part of the community benefits package attached to development of Parcel 18 in his district. >> more...