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Hoyer Statement on the Loss of Former Maryland State Senator, Environmentalist Bernie Fowler

December 13, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today on the passing of former Maryland State Senator and long-time Maryland environmentalist, Bernie Fowler:

"Bernie Fowler exemplified public service at its best and lived a life of extraordinary contribution. His unfailing dedication to the people of Calvert County and to the health and sustainability of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay were legendary. The Patuxent and Chesapeake are cleaner and clearer because he had the courage to stand up to polluters and organized Marylanders to take action for conservation. Bernie was a man I greatly admired, a mentor to me and so many others, and I was proud to call a dear, dear friend for decades.

"I was honored to wade in to the Patuxent with him every year and to help him measure our progress in ensuring that future generations could truly treasure the Chesapeake and its watershed.

"I will miss Bernie's wisdom and wit, his kind nature, and his warm and engaging spirit; he exemplified Lincoln's admonition of ‘malice toward none and charity for all.' Bernie was a man of great faith and a fervent American patriot.

"Bernie is now reunited with his beloved Betty Lou, his wife of sixty-nine years, whom we lost not long ago. Together, their memory will continue to be an inspiration to us all, and I join in offering my condolences to their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the extended Fowler family."

Issues:Environment