MICA PRAISED TILLIE FOWLER (WHO UNLIKE MICA KEPT HER TERM LIMITS PLEDGE PROMISE)

[Congressional Record: March 17, 2005 (Extensions)]
[Page E504-E505]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr17mr05pt2-90]




REMEMBRANCE OF TILLIE K. FOWLER

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speech of

HON. JOHN L. MICA

of florida

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, March 8, 2005

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, along with my fellow Members of Congress, it
is my honor to pay tribute to my friend and former colleague, Tillie
Fowler. I extend my very deepest sympathy to Tillie's husband, Buck, to
her daughters, Tillie and Elizabeth, and to Tillie's family on the
great personal loss of their loved one. It was my privilege to call
Tillie Fowler my colleague in Congress and know her as a friend.
Tillie always had her priorities in order. I always recall her first
concern in all matters was for Buck, her husband, and her daughters.
Tillie as I knew her also had a great love of our country. She ran for
office to make her community, our State of Florida and our nation a
better place for all. And she never stopped or hesitated in that
effort.
Because of the public service of Tillie Fowler, many lives in the
Jacksonville area and across our great land have been changed. Tillie
and I were elected to Congress together in 1992. With Tillie's
leadership the Congress was reformed, people who only had welfare as a
choice had their lives changed and our nation's military found a new,
strong advocate at their side. Many lives have been affected by the
efforts and determination of Tillie Fowler.
It was my honor to serve with her for eight years and share borders
of our Congressional Districts over the years, It was my honor to have
her at my side during congressional redistricting in 2002, when I
inherited a large portion of her old district and faced a formidable
reelection challenge. Her support and

[[Page E505]]

friendship will always have a fond place in my heart and memories.
So, like many, I have lost a great friend. Unfortunately our nation
has lost a great leader and patriot. We will all miss Tillie. But each
day now without her, we can celebrate her life and better appreciate
her many contributions that helped to make our country a better America
for all.

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