[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 199 (Wednesday, December 21, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H9915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE OF LESLEE KATHRYN BUHLER ALEXANDER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KUSTOFF. Madam Speaker, many in the Chamber know our friend 
Senator Lamar Alexander, but many of you may not know that earlier this 
year he lost his wife of 53 years, Leslee Kathryn Buhler Alexander, 
better known to all of us as ``Honey.''
  Honey was a household name in Tennessee, not for being the first lady 
of Tennessee or the wife of a United States Senator, but for being the 
voice of so many across the State.
  Honey grew up in Texas. She graduated high school in Austin in 1963 
and received her college degree from Smith College in 1967. Honey later 
joined the Washington, D.C., staff of United States Senator John G. 
Tower.
  Now, that summer, during a softball game between Senator Tower's 
staff and the staff of Senator Howard Baker, Jr., Honey met a young 
Baker staffer, Lamar Alexander. Honey and Lamar dated for about 18 
months and married in 1969.
  When Honey, Lamar, and their 11-month-old son, Drew, moved to 
Nashville in 1970, Honey began to focus on the health and well-being of 
families and children. She said: ``Strong families make strong 
children.''
  Later, as Tennessee's first lady, Honey led the statewide Healthy 
Children Initiative with the goal of providing prenatal healthcare for 
every child. Honey dedicated her life to the well-being of our next 
generation.
  Honey Alexander cofounded Leadership Nashville, served Family & 
Children's Service as president of its board and chaired multiple 
events, and additionally served on the boards of the Adventure Science 
Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, the Junior League of Nashville, the 
Dede Wallace Center, and the Hermitage.

                              {time}  1215

  Honey and Lamar had three more children: Leslee, Kathryn, and Will. 
Through it all, Honey was a steadfast and committed partner during her 
husband's honorable career in public service.
  Honey campaigned during Lamar's six races for Governor and United 
States Senator, served 8 years as the first lady of Tennessee, moved to 
Knoxville when Lamar was the president of the University of Tennessee, 
and then moved to Washington when Lamar was the United States Education 
Secretary and finally U.S. Senator. When Lamar was campaigning for 
President, Honey traveled on her own to over 80 different Iowa 
communities.
  During the 1996 Presidential campaign in New Hampshire, Honey was 
interviewed on the Larry King Show on CNN. Larry King asked Honey this 
question: Do you really want to be the First Lady and live in the White 
House?
  Honey answered in her own way, very succinctly with one word: ``No.''
  That was Honey. It was clear to all of us that Honey was happiest at 
home with her family. I think that Honey summed it up well when she 
wrote: ``The most important facets of my life remain the same: 
supporting Lamar; mothering the children; helping others; and nurturing 
good physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual health in me and 
those closest to me.''
  When Nashville's Family and Children's Service named its new home the 
Honey Alexander Center, the organization said, ``Honey Alexander has 
dedicated her life to the service of others.'' In my opinion, that 
really is the most suitable statement.
  As a child, Honey's daughter Leslee wrote in a school essay: ``My 
mother is the lioness who keeps the family in hand and allows us to 
live and grow.''
  We should all be so lucky to have a Honey Alexander in our lives.
  As we grieve the loss of one of our favorite first ladies, we know 
that Tennessee is a better place to live and raise a family because of 
the work of this wonderful wife, mother, and friend.
  From Roberta and me to Lamar, Leslee, Kathryn, and Will: We know your 
hearts are heavy this holiday season, but we want to say thank you. 
Thank you for allowing your wife and your mother to be a lioness for us 
all.

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