Steve Buyer: “I join my colleagues here tonight because we are all deeply saddened by the loss of our former colleague and dear…”

“I join my colleagues here tonight because we are all deeply saddened by the loss of our former colleague and dear friend, Tillie Fowler. I first met Tillie in December of 1992. We were both of the newly elected class of the 103rd Congress. It was during that incoming freshman class that we met for the first time. We were to meet in this big room. As I came through that door, I was 32 years old. I did not even know where the bathrooms were. The first person I see is this lady who is very gracious with these very large glasses with the most beautiful smile, and I knew that this had to be a Southern belle. Boy, was I right. I went over, immediately attracted to that smile, and we started talking. Then somebody called the meeting to order and Tillie and I sat down next to each other. And what a beginning of a great relationship. Ironically, we were then appointed both to the House Armed Services Committee and were assigned committee seats then right next to each other. During our tenure on the Armed Services Committee, I came to know and appreciate and respect the loyalty, dedication and hard work of Tillie. Although Tillie never served in the military, she understood and subscribed to the very same core values that I had been inculcated with and advocated by all members of the uniformed services. To that end, we shared the same values and beliefs: Duty, honor, courage, commitment to God, country, family, and our fellow human beings.”