AL HR324

Honors the life and legacy of Reverend James Curtis Owens, who passed away on March 26, 2016, at age 64.

Recognizes Owens as the first African American to receive a football scholarship at Auburn University in 1969, lettering as a fullback from 1970 to 1972 and playing on the 1972 Amazins team.

Notes Owens's career as an assistant football coach at Auburn, head coach at Miles College, and instructor at Tuskegee and Auburn universities before retiring in 2004.

Acknowledges Owens's ministry work, including serving as Associate Minister of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Opelika (1995) and Pastor of Pleasant Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in Dadeville (2001-2013).

Expresses sympathy to Owens's surviving family members, including his wife Gloria Sanks Owens of 41 years, three children, and extended family.