[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 30 (Monday, March 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF TILLIE FOWLER, FORMER MEMBER OF CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ROGER F. WICKER

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 8, 2005

  Mr. WICKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues from Florida for 
allowing me to participate in this tribute to our friend, Tillie 
Fowler.
  I was privileged to get to know Tillie and to see how effective she 
was here in this body. I served with her on the Whip team, where her 
intelligence and leadership abilities were great assets. Tillie also 
had the universal respect of members of Congress in both parties 
because of her gentle demeanor and the way she got things done. She 
also enjoyed that same measure of respect from all the branches of our 
armed services. Tillie gained a seat on the Armed Services Committee 
and worked hard on issues to strengthen our military and improve the 
quality of life for our service personnel.
  One of the newspaper stories referred to Tillie as a passionate 
advocate for the City of Jacksonville and for the military. There is no 
question about that, and she achieved success without raising her voice 
or pounding on the rostrum. She did it with a personal style that 
embodied all the characteristics of a Southern lady. Tillie was polite 
and courteous, always immaculately dressed, and easy to work with--yet 
tenacious in pursuit of her goals. Working Woman magazine once said 
about Tillie that she was a ``diminutive Southern belle but tough as an 
old Marine.'' She said she learned that lesson from her grandmother, 
who said being a lady doesn't mean you can't be tough.
  Tillie heeded her grandnother's advice, and it served her well 
throughout a career that was marked by pioneering accomplishments. She 
was one of only five women in her Emory University Law School 
graduating class. She won a seat on the Jacksonville City Council and 
was elected as the council's first woman president. She earned high 
marks for her work ethic and ability to get things done. In 1993, she 
brought that same energy and determination to Capitol Hill.
  She already had Washington experience as a former House staffer and 
in the Office of Consumer Affairs at the White House. Tillie's 
abilities were recognized quickly and she became a leader on issues 
relating to our military. She also became a member of the House 
leadership team, serving as vice-chair of the Republican Conference.
  Even after leaving Congress in 2001, Tillie was still being called on 
to tackle tough assignments. She chaired the commission that 
investigated sexual misconduct allegations at the Air Force Academy and 
was named to the panel looking into issues surrounding the treatment of 
prisoners in Iraq.
  She never moved to Washington, choosing to commute back home every 
weekend to be close to her family and her strong Jacksonville roots. 
While Tillie focused much attention on the district and on issues 
important to Florida, her work touched lives all across our great 
country--especially those with ties to our military. That was evidenced 
by the strong outpouring of support the family received from so many 
Americans who appreciated Tillie's faithful service.
  The House of Representatives is a better place because Tillie Fowler 
served here. I am honored to help pay tribute to Tillie and her 
remarkable career.

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