[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E97]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    HONORING COMMANDER EUNICE BUTTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2025

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History 
month with gratitude for the life of Commander Eunice Butts, her 
service to our country and Tampa Bay community. Commander Butts 
volunteered to serve America and shattered glass ceilings as an African 
American woman in the U.S. Air Force and National Guard during the 
Vietnam War. She served with courage, empathy and a love of country 
that continues to drive her work with service members to this day.
  Born and raised in Tampa, Ms. Butts graduated from Middleton High 
School and was the first student to sing opera. Exploring her talent 
for singing and performing, she continued her education at Gibbs Junior 
College with a scholarship for music.
  Following the first deployment of United States ground troops in 
Vietnam in 1965, Ms. Butts describes walking down the street and seeing 
the infamous ``I want you'' war poster that would effectively change 
the course of her life and begin her service epoch. Ms. Butts always 
dreamed of helping and opening doors for others, aware of the 
oppression that came before her and continued during her early life. 
Immediately walking in the recruitment center and enlisting in the U.S. 
Air Force, Ms. Butts knew she was ready to patriotically serve her 
country and uphold the legacy of Black women in the military. Her 
instinct to serve rang true and 16 years later, Ms. Butts left active 
duty and settled in Montgomery, Alabama.
  Ms. Butts is the proud mother of two sons and a daughter, Edward, 
Robert and Franjernera. She is also the grandmother of three children, 
Benjamin, Zori and Latrice.
  As a true public servant, Ms. Butts sought other ways to serve her 
country and found that the Air Force Reserves were looking for Black 
women. She continued her service in the Air Force Reserves, Alabama 
National Guard and in the American Legion for an additional 25 years.
  Ms. Butts' beliefs were rooted in the sentiment of giving and showing 
love to all, especially unsung heroes. In the 1970s, Ms. Butts returned 
to Tampa where she served in the American Legion with World War II 
Veteran Willie Mae Williams, where they evangelized the pivotal role 
that women played in the military. When Ms. Williams passed, Ms. Butts 
answered the call of letting the world know the untold story of female 
veterans. Ms. Butts moved through the ranks of the American Legion and 
is the first African American female to serve as the American Legion 
Department State of Florida Commander.
  Continuing to heal the wounds of Vietnam veterans, Ms. Butts believes 
that every day, Americans should pray and take under their wings, all 
the veterans who have served in our military. She often reminded her 
peers that many have been wounded, if not mentally, then physically, or 
both. Ms. Butts gave the gift of compassion to her partners in veteran 
service organizations and preached that service members need our 
shoulders to lean on for support and love.
  Commander Butts bravely volunteered to fight and defend a country 
that did not always protect and defend Black women, yet she never 
wavered in her full devotion to America and liberty and justice for 
all. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the patriotic Tampa Bay community, I 
thank Eunice Butts for her 39 and counting years of work to her fellow 
service members, veterans and their loved ones. Joining the legacy of 
women who inspired her, Ms. Butts life's work will be a foundation and 
benefaction for young, Black women everywhere, especially those who 
choose to defend and protect our Nation. She has effectively nurtured 
and opened doors for her fellow service members all while passing on 
the valiant stories of female veterans who our Nation will be forever 
grateful for.

                          ____________________