Political Quotes

“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.…”