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→Three Democratic mayoral terms
Many of the construction projects in early 21st century Lafayette were conceived by Bowen. Elmo Laborde, who served on the council during Bowen's final term, cited the fruits of Bowen's work as the Camellia Bridge and the Lafayette Convention Center, which opened the week of Bowen's death. Urban renewal and the expansion of the city utilities system were other Bowen accomplishments, according to Laborde.
Many of the construction projects in early 21st century Lafayette were conceived by Bowen. Elmo Laborde, who served on the council during Bowen's final term, cited the fruits of Bowen's work as the Camellia Bridge and the Lafayette Convention Center, which opened the week of Bowen's death. Urban renewal and the expansion of the city utilities system were other Bowen accomplishments, according to Laborde.
Former Democratic state Senator Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton, Jr., of Lafayette said that Bowen was not "concerned about reelection. He was concerned about serving." In the funeral service, Mouton quipped that "Kenny will now rest in peace with the Lord, But I'm not so sure the Lord will have much peace," referring to Bowen's passion for politics. Mouton and fellow Democrat [[Edmund G. Reggie]] of Lafayette (formerly the city judge in Crowley in Acadia Parish) were among honorary pallbearers at Bowen's funeral. Reggie was the father-in-law of the late [[U.S. Senator]] [[Edward M. Kennedy]] of [[Massachusetts]].
Former Democratic state Senator Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton, Jr., of Lafayette said that Bowen was not "concerned about reelection. He was concerned about serving." In the funeral service, Mouton quipped that "Kenny will now rest in peace with the Lord, But I'm not so sure the Lord will have much peace," referring to Bowen's passion for politics. Mouton and fellow Democrat [[Edmund Reggie]] of Lafayette (formerly the city judge in Crowley in Acadia Parish) were among honorary pallbearers at Bowen's funeral. Reggie was the father-in-law of the late [[U.S. Senator]] [[Edward M. Kennedy]] of [[Massachusetts]].
Bowen hired the first blacks to work in professional capacities in Lafayette City Hall. "When he came to office, no people of color were working for the City of Lafayette other than on the back of garbage trucks, in public works, and the police department. The only black person working in City Hall was a janitor," said Anthony Navarre, a former city police officer who was a frequent guest on Bowen's ''Let's Talk'' [[television]] program. Bowen, and his Republican successor, [[Dud Lastrapes|William Dudley "Dud" Lastrapes, Jr.]], encouraged women to reach the higher ranks in city administration.
Bowen hired the first blacks to work in professional capacities in Lafayette City Hall. "When he came to office, no people of color were working for the City of Lafayette other than on the back of garbage trucks, in public works, and the police department. The only black person working in City Hall was a janitor," said Anthony Navarre, a former city police officer who was a frequent guest on Bowen's ''Let's Talk'' [[television]] program. Bowen, and his Republican successor, [[Dud Lastrapes|William Dudley "Dud" Lastrapes, Jr.]], encouraged women to reach the higher ranks in city administration.
As mayor, Bowen served a term as president of the Louisiana Municipal Association from 1977 to 1978. He was also active in the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
As mayor, Bowen served a term as president of the Louisiana Municipal Association from 1977 to 1978. He was also active in the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
==Bowen and the GOP==
==Bowen and the GOP==