Congressman Bill Owens has represented New York’s 23rd 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. As Managing Partner at the Stafford, Owens law firm, Bill specialized in business and tax law. With the skills he learned as an attorney and businessman, Bill joined a handful of other community leaders in helping to recruit businesses from Canada to Upstate New York. In addition, Bill was an integral part of the team that helped redevelop Plattsburgh Air Force Base when it closed down. In all, Bill helped create over 2,000 jobs for his community.
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 Armed Services Committee, the Agriculture Committee, and the Small Business Committee, Bill is also working to strengthen existing resources in the region that are vital to job creation and our local economy, including Fort Drum and the Canadian border.
Bill and Jane still reside in Plattsburgh. They have three grown children and four grandchildren.
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