1816                             Joint Resolutions

No. 15
(Senate Joint Resolution 49)

Senate Joint Resolution expressing the deep and personal regrets
of every member of the General Assembly over the untimely
passing of George A. "Gabby" Bowen.

The members of the General Assembly of Maryland express their
profound and personal sorrow in the passing of George A. "Gabby"
Bowen, for many years an Associated Press reporter with long ex-
perience in Annapolis and with the General Assembly.

"Gabby" Bowen was a close student of the General Assembly and
its workings. Over the years, he developed a broad knowledge of
State business and to a rare degree he could analyze the happenings
in the State House and give to them a perceptive and understanding
presentation.

In personal demeanor "Gabby" Bowen was friendly, affable and
always energetic and able in his work. He was a friend and confidant
of all and in his passing the entire State of Maryland has lost an
outstanding reporter and commentator.

"Gabby" Bowen died on May 11, 1970. His death was a shock to
hundreds of his friends and associates.

The written and printed expressions from his newspaper associates
show with clarity and poignancy the impact of his life.

One of his long time friends was Lou Panos, writing for the
Baltimore Evening Sun:

" 'Gabby died Monday, and let's not have any euphemisms like
"passed away" or "left us" or any of those other expressions he dis-
dained. Gabby was George A. Bowen, Jr., and he had little use for
phony phrases or phony people. That was common knowledge among
a generation of politicians and athletes whose work he observed and
reported. He recorded the accomplishments of the institutions, but
he really covered the people who made the institutions and he did
this with marvelous candor, skill and understanding. In a day when
the fairness and objectivity of those practicing his trade have come
under question by some in power, it must be mentioned that George
A. Bowen, Jr. jealously shielded his opinion in a news story but just
as jealously reserved his right to speak out in person.' "

A long eulogy was offered by Joe Dill, Chief of the Associated
Press Bureau at a meeting of Chesapeake AP Broadcasters shortly
after "Gabby's" death:

" 'In 1942, a young man applied for a job with The AP in Balti-
more. As is the custom, AP received several letters of recommenda-
tion on the prospective employee. The managing editor of his news-
paper wrote: "He has been a faithful and efficient employe and I
can recommend him for future success with The AP in Baltimore."
Another editor wrote: "He has plenty of gray matter between his
ears, common sense, and the energy to keep turning out work as
long as necessary, and then a wee bit more."

" 'The man walked into the Baltimore AP office for the first time
on July 19, 1942. Almost 28 years later—on May 11, 1970, less than