[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 92 (Thursday, June 26, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S6489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JESSE BROWN

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
dynamic leader, very capable public servant, tenacious veteran's 
advocate, and a good friend--Veterans' Affairs Secretary Jesse Brown.
   I am saddened by the news that Secretary Brown is leaving after four 
productive and hard working years at the helm of the U.S. Department of 
Veterans' Affairs. Under his leadership, the VA and veterans have made 
tremendous progress.
  Jesse Brown fought battle after battle to protect, reform, and fully 
fund veterans' health care. Jesse Brown won most of those battles.
  Jesse Brown fought to strengthen benefits for Vietnam veterans 
exposed to Agent Orange. He fought for their children suffering from 
Spina Bifida. Jesse Brown won those battles.
  Jesse Brown fought to improve the veterans' benefits claims process. 
He better than anyone knew the importance of timely, accurate, and fair 
decisions.
  Jesse Brown worked hard for veterans with post-traumatic stress 
disorder, Persian Gulf war veterans, women veterans, homeless veterans, 
and many others.
  Most importantly, Jesse Brown cares about people. I've seen him on 
many occasions stop what he's doing to visit one-on-one with a veteran 
in need or a grieving loved one. In an airport, on the street, in a 
hospital, at VFW post, Jesse always took the time to listen to people 
and to try to help them. That is what leadership is all about. That is 
what being an effective public servant is all about. That is what being 
a veterans' advocate is all about.
  Jesse was never afraid to speak his mind and fight for veterans and 
their families--no matter the strength of the opposition or political 
risk to him. He did what he thought was right. He was proud to be their 
advocate and it should come as no surprise when said that being 
Secretary had been the high point of his life. Jesse Brown, a former 
Marine wounded in Vietnam, can feel good about his accomplishments and 
he can feel proud that his place in history is secure. He will be known 
forever as the Secretary for Veterans' Affairs. He will be known as one 
of the best veterans' advocates the country has ever seen.
  Here are some of the comments that veterans, their families, and 
veterans' advocates have shared with me since learning the news that 
Jesse is leaving the VA.

       Jesse brought to the VA real experience, knowledge, and 
     wisdom to prepare the VA for the 21st Century. We'll miss 
     him.''--Bernie Melter, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of 
     Veterans' Affairs.
       Jesse Brown's commitment to veterans will never be 
     questioned and his tenure as Secretary for Veterans Affairs 
     will go down in history as the greatest advocate for veterans 
     we'll ever see.--Duane Krueger, Vietnam veteran and Anoka 
     County Veterans Service Officer.
       Secretary Brown's departure is a major loss for all 
     veterans. His advocacy for veterans was without regard to 
     political affiliation and was based upon the fact that as a 
     veteran you had earned your entitlement.--Wayne Sletten, 
     Vietnam era veteran and Lake County Veterans' Service 
     officer.
       In my personal opinion Secretary Jesse Brown was the best 
     leader of the VA we've ever had.--Chuck Milbrandt, Director, 
     Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
       At a time when my family was struggling to obtain my late 
     husband's benefits for Agent Orange, Jesse took the time to 
     personally review the case and ensure that we received all 
     the benefits to which we were entitled. We owe a great debt 
     of gratitude to Jesse Brown and his commitment to helping 
     people.--Leesa Gilmore, widow of Vietnam Veteran Tim 
     Gillmore.
       Secretary Jesse Brown will be sorely missed by all of us at 
     the St. Paul VA Regional Office and Insurance Center. He was 
     a strong and fair leader and served as an excellent role 
     model on how we ought to serve veterans and their dependents. 
     We will miss his guidance, candor, and wit. We wish him the 
     best of luck in future endeavors and know that he will 
     continue to be a strong advocate for all veterans.--Ron 
     Henke, Director, St. Paul VA Regional Office and Insurance 
     Center.

  These are some of the many people who have expressed their admiration 
and respect for Jesse Brown and who want to recognize his many 
achievements during his tenure in office.
  For me, I will dearly miss working side-by-side with Jesse fighting 
for veterans and their families. Like veterans in Minnesota, he has 
been my teacher and today here in the U.S. Senate I am proud to honor 
him and thank him for his incredible service and wonderful friendship.
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to VA 
Secretary Brown and properly recognize him for his many years of 
service and commitment to the Nation and her veterans.

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