West SLC News

Burgess Owens, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Utah's 4th district since 2021, shared his thoughts on historical figures and current educational challenges through a series of tweets. Owens, who replaced Ben McAdams in Congress, has been vocal about various social issues.

On February 10, 2025, Owens reflected on Jackie Robinson's historic achievement in breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947. He stated: "In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first Black athlete to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier, a moment that challenged a segregated system and paved the way for countless others."

Later that day, Owens commented on the state of education in America. He expressed concerns over educational spending and outcomes: "America spends more per student than almost every nation in the world—with ever increasing spending—and what do we get for it? Falling standards Failing school districts Worse outcomes I'm looking forward to reviewing what @DOGE finds at the Department of Education."

Owens also highlighted Rosa Parks' pivotal role in history with her act of defiance against racial segregation: "Rosa Parks, born in 1913, proved that a single decision can change the course of history. In Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, Parks quietly refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus that required all Black riders to sit in the back."