[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM HOLMES BROWN, PARLIAMENTARIAN, ON HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

  (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, nothing gives me greater satisfaction than to 
hear on this day of retirement of Bill Brown these wonderfully warm 
words from the Republican leader, because I think the lifeblood of any 
parliamentary body is the sense that our debates and discussions, the 
votes and actions taken here, are taken in a context of rules and 
observance, conventions and procedures, that are fair to each Member of 
the body. Indeed, I think the history of our House of Representatives, 
certainly in this recent period, has been one of scrupulous adherence 
to the rules.
  As Speaker I have tried to follow that guide of fairness and 
objectivity in every ruling I have made, and if I had any tendency to 
veer from that, I would find resistance, very strong resistance, from 
the Parliamentarians of the House, who are committed in an almost 
religious sense to ensuring that the rules are absolutely impartially 
observed here, I think there is a record, perhaps, of the fact that 
this body has hardly ever overruled the Chair, and that in those cases 
where there sometimes has been a question of moving to override the 
Chair, Republican leadership has often joined with our Members and 
Republican Members have joined with Democratic Members in supporting 
the Chair.
  Certainly no small part of the credit for this belongs to Bill Brown. 
He has been an absolutely sterling Parliamentarian in every way. He has 
served six Speakers. He has been in this body for almost a longer 
period than virtually anyone. There are few Members and very few 
professional staff who have served as long.
  He begins his retirement with the best wishes and warm affection of 
an overwhelming number of Members and those who serve with him in 
aiding this body to achieve its objectives. He has compiled, as Bob 
Michel says, the precedents of the House. They are now available for 
all. He has in recent months been a special resource of assistance to 
emerging parliamentary democracies in Eastern Europe. I think he has 
found great satisfaction and opportunity for additional service in that 
work.
  Charlie Johnson, his very long-time Assistant Parliamentarian, has 
our full confidence on both sides of the aisle, and I have made his 
appointment with great satisfaction; and if it is time, in Bill Brown's 
judgment, to leave, that a successor as worthy and able and committed 
and dedicated as Charlie Johnson stands ready to assume the 
responsibilities.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to extend again, not only on my own behalf but on 
the behalf of all Members of this House, my thanks and my appreciation 
and my warmest best wishes to Bill Brown, and every success and 
happiness for him and Jean in the years that lie ahead.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I want to join you and the minority 
leader in recognizing the more than 36 years of service Parliamentarian 
Bill Brown has given to this House.
  Bill is retiring this week after serving in the Parliamentarian's 
office since 1958. He was Assistant Parliamentarian from 1958-1974 and 
then was appointed to the position of Parliamentarian by House Speaker 
Carl Albert in 1974. During those years, Bill served under six House 
Speakers, including Sam Rayburn, John McCormack, Carl Albert, Tip 
O'Neill, Jim Wright, and Tom Foley.
  Bill has been successful over the years in making sure the 
Parliamentarian's office remained nonpartisan in its duties of advising 
the Speaker, all Members of Congress, committees and staff on 
Constitutional questions and rules of order within this House. He is 
held in high regard by Members on both sides of the aisle.
  In addition to those responsibilities, Bill was involved in recent 
years in projects involving parliamentary development in several 
Eastern European republics. He and his support personnel have 
participated in seminars and training programs in Poland, Estonia and 
Romania, as these countries and others move toward democracy.
  Bill is a graduate of Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania and the 
University of Chicago Law School. He served on active duty in the U.S. 
Navy from 1954-57 and then served in the Naval Reserve from 1954-74, 
retiring as a lieutenant commander.
  it has been a great honor to get to know Bill Brown on a personal 
level. I consider him a close friend and certainly will miss the wise 
counsel he has given me over the years. He is one of the true unsung 
heroes who make things work around the people's House. We will miss 
Bill, but he has earned his retirement. I salute Bill Brown on a job 
well done and wish Bill, Jean, and Sara the best in the future.

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