[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF THE LATE REP. GEORGE BROWN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 5, 1999

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak with fondness about the 
late Congressman George Brown. His death leaves us with one less person 
dedicated to the fight for America's future. When I came to Congress to 
try to end the Vietnam War, George was also fighting against that war. 
With his leadership, we brought our soldiers home and ended one of the 
lowest points in American morale and foreign policy. His fight for what 
was right didn't end with Vietnam. He fought for the environment, for 
education, and for the underprivileged throughout his career.
  One of Representative Brown's legacies is the Environmental 
Protection Agency. Before George Brown, there was no single entity in 
government designated to protect American air, water, land, and 
wildlife. His dedication to protecting our ecosystem helped improve the 
quality of life for all of us and future generations. George Brown 
raised environmental activism from a few dedicated scientists to the 
general public, making the environment an issue and assuring that the 
government protected it.
  Representative Brown interests went beyond preserving the environment 
for future generation; he cared deeply about the education of our 
children. George supported the establishment of educational loans. 
These loans have provided millions of Americans with the opportunity to 
go to college and contribute more to our society. Recently, he joined 
in support of building more schools, hiring more teachers, and 
improving the quality of our classes. He was committed to quality 
education for our children.
  George Brown fought to improve the lives of all Americans. He fought 
especially hard for those Americans who couldn't fight for themselves. 
Before coming to Congress, George worked to end anti-union laws and to 
ban discrimination. Once elected to Congress, he worked to enact the 
Civil Rights Act to address which discrimination against minorities. He 
also joined in the fight to improve health care, provide affordable 
prescription drugs, and even to protect our health care workers from 
accidental needlesticks.
  Congressman George Brown fought for so many things that we now take 
for granted. George stood up for what was right for our environment, 
education, and the underprivileged. Beyond all of these 
accomplishments, he was an example to all of us. He stood up for what 
he believed in regardless of the potential political fall out. He 
exemplified the ideals that this country was founded on.
  Although George is no longer with us, we will continue to fight to 
ensure that every American has the same rights, freedoms, and 
opportunities that some want to reserve for the elite few.

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