UPDATE: KY Black Legislative Caucus honors late Rep. Owens
Former state Rep. Darryl Owens was given the 2022 Legacy Award.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 8, 2022
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Tuesday, the Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus honored the late Representative Darryl Owens. A special ceremony took place in the Capitol Rotunda to honor Representative Owens with the 2022 Legacy Award.
Owens also served as a county commissioner, a judge and the NAACP president. He was also the first African American to to serve in a county-wide office as Jefferson County commissioner and was the first African American to run for Louisville mayor.
Owens passed away in January at the age of 84. Tuesday’s event is part of the annual Black History Celebration.
ORIGINAL STORY
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) – Former state Rep. Darryl Owens died on Tuesday. Many took to social media to share condolences for the 84-year-old Louisville native.
Woodford County Judge Executive James Kay shared sympathies saying, “Kentucky lost a legend, pioneer & statesman in Rep. Darryl Owens. My love & prayers for his family. A great legal mind, honorable Judge & the conscience of the Ky House who fought for right. Honored to serve with him. Greater honor to know his friendship. One of the very best.”
Charles Booker took to Twitter to say in part, “Tonight, I am heartbroken. Rep. Darryl Owens, a lifelong public servant and advocate for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and my predecessor in the Kentucky House of Representatives, has passed.”
According to the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Owens devoted his life to public service and civil rights. He was the first black assistance prosecutor of Louisville police court. He was the first Black assistant Kentucky attorney general and handled legislation on collective bargaining for public employees, landlord-tenant issues, minority vendors, vehicle emissions testing ordinances, hazardous waste sites and Jefferson County residency requirements, according to the commission.
Owens became increasingly involved with civil rights issues as an attorney, community leader and president of the NAACP.
The politician was also a Democratic Party member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing District 43 from 2005 until his retirement in 2018.
Read more about his accomplishments HERE.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been shared.
