TITLE: Recognizing Rose M. Z. Gowen on the occasion of her retirement.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Rose M. Z. Gowen on the occasion of her retirement.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Dr. Rose M. Z. Gowen is concluding her service as a Brownsville city commissioner in May 2025, drawing to a close an outstanding tenure spanning 16 years; and WHEREAS, First elected to the Brownsville City Commission At-Large "B" position in 2009, Dr. Gowen has since used her background as a practicing physician to identify and address health needs in the community; she has spearheaded a number of wellness initiatives, including the CycloBia series and The Challenge-RGV, an annual event that has engaged more than 12,000 participants; and WHEREAS, Dr. Gowen was also key in forging a partnership between the City of Brownsville and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health-Brownsville, resulting in such transformative projects as the Brownsville Farmers' Market, which garnered the Certificate of Excellence from the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission; in addition, she helped promote the Vibrant Lecture Series, the Build a Better Block program, and the revitalization of Market Square; and WHEREAS, A champion of sustainable infrastructure, Dr. Gowen coauthored the plan for the Caracara Trails project, a 428-mile route network that connects communities across Cameron County; she also played an important role in the completion of the West Rail Trail, which provides an essential link in the city's trail loop; her leadership was instrumental in Brownsville receiving a 2014 Culture of Health Prize from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and an All-America City Award from the National Civic League; and WHEREAS, Through her expertise in medicine, public policy, and community building, Rose Gowen has helped set Brownsville on a course to an even brighter future, and she may indeed reflect with pride on her accomplishments as she embarks on the next exciting chapter of her life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby congratulate Dr. Rose M. Z. Gowen on her retirement as a Brownsville city commissioner and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success in all her endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Dr. Gowen as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Hinojosa of Nueces President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 21, 2025.