[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 76 (Tuesday, June 5, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2862-H2864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      WILLIAM HOLMES BROWN, FORMER PARLIAMENTARIAN OF HOUSE PASSES

  (Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks and include extraneous 
material.)
  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I am saddened today to announce to our 
colleagues the passing on May 27 of William Holmes Brown, who served as 
parliamentarian of the House from 1974 to 1994. He was 71 years of age. 
Not only did I have the pleasure of working with Bill Brown in the 
House, but I was also privileged to be his Congressman. He lived at 
Oakland Green Farm in Lincoln in Loudoun County, Virginia, property 
which had been in the family for more than eight generations.
  Bill began his service in the Parliamentarian's Office in 1958 when 
he was appointed Assistant Parliamentarian by Speaker Sam Rayburn. In 
1974, he was named to the position of Parliamentarian by Speaker Carl 
Albert. He succeeded the legendary Lewis Deschler, with whom he had 
collaborated in volumes of ``Precedents of the House of 
Representatives,'' referred to in the House as the Deschler-Brown 
Precedents. During his years in the House, he served under six 
Speakers. Besides Speaker Sam Rayburn and Carl Albert, he served under 
John McCormack, Tip O'Neill, Jim Wright, and Tom Foley. He retired from 
the House in 1994.
  During his service in the House, he worked to develop parliamentary 
projects in newly emerging democratic republics in Eastern Europe, 
participating in seminars and training programs for representatives of 
other national legislative bodies. After he retired as Parliamentarian 
in 1994, he worked for the Agency of International Development on a 
parliamentary development project in the Ukraine.
  Members today can thank Bill Brown and thank his staff, many here 
today, for organizing the Office of the Parliamentarian, moving it into 
the Computer Age and making the House precedents available online for 
all to access.
  Bill was the ultimate professional and dedicated public servant. He 
was held in the highest regard by Members on both sides of the aisle 
because his work reflected his dedication to the proposition that the 
rules of the House should be applied and enforced without political 
considerations.
  Bill was born in Huntington, West Virginia. He was a 1951 graduate of 
Swarthmore College and received his law degree from the University of 
Chicago. He served on active duty in the Navy from 1954 to 1957 and 
then served in the Naval Reserve from 1954 to 1974, retiring as a 
lieutenant commander.
  He was director of the Conversations at Oatlands organization and the 
Loudoun Museum and a member of the Catoctin Farmers Club and Goose 
Creek Friends Meeting.
  On behalf of the House, and on behalf of Members on both sides of the 
aisle, and on behalf of Members who served here many, many years ago, 
Madam Speaker, we send our deepest sympathies to Bill's wife of 30 
years, Jean Smith Brown, and their daughter, Sara Holmes Brown.

Resignation of the Parliamentarian, the Honorable Wm. Holmes Brown, and 
   Appointment of the Honorable Charles W. Johnson as Parliamentarian


             (house of representatives--september 20, 1994)

       The SPEAKER laid before the House the following 
     communication from the Parliamentarian of the House of 
     Representatives, which was read:

     Hon. Thomas S. Foley,
     Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Speaker: In March of this year, I completed my 
     thirty-sixth year with the House of Representatives. In July, 
     I completed my twentieth year as Parliamentarian.
       In the past few months, circumstances, both personal and 
     professional, have focused my attention on retirement. It has 
     been a difficult decision to reach, but I have concluded that 
     it's time for a change.
       The office which I have been privileged to hold continues 
     to be both challenging and rewarding. It is fascinating to 
     encounter--almost daily--fresh interpretations of rules and 
     bill language which require constant evaluation of 
     yesterday's assumptions and conclusions. The House changes 
     from year to year, with new Members and staff and 
     circumstances always reshaping this institution; what does 
     not change is the reservoir of intellect and inventiveness 
     which characterizes those who work in the legislative branch 
     of our government. Daily interaction with such talented 
     people makes the congress a uniquely fascinating place to 
     work.
       I could not have done this job without a lot of help, 
     without the love and support of my family, who have learned 
     to live with long hours and erratic schedules; without the 
     teamwork at the rostrum and in all the support offices of the 
     House; without the reservoir of personal commitment and 
     professional strength from my colleagues in the Office. Among 
     the deputy and the assistant parliamentarians there is a 
     wealth of experience and talent. Their accumulated service 
     totals over 80 years. Each is dedicated to the proposition 
     that the rules of this great institution should be applied 
     and enforced without political considerations. All are open 
     to Members and staff with respect to the rules and precedents 
     which govern and guide the deliberations of the House and its 
     committees. They are all exemplary public servants; they can 
     and will continue to carry out the responsibilities of the 
     Office in a manner which reflects the best traditions of the 
     House. We share a lasting bond and I will miss these friends 
     whom I admire and care for so deeply.
       I owe a great debt of gratitude to all the Speakers whom I 
     have been fortunate to know: Sam Rayburn, who first appointed 
     me as an assistant parliamentarian on the recommendation of 
     my legendary predecessor as Parliamentarian, Lewis Deschler; 
     John McCormack, who shared his anecdotes and love of the 
     House during long evening conversations in the Speaker's 
     Rooms; Carl Albert, who had faith enough in my abilities 
     to appoint me as Parliamentarian during a very tumultuous 
     time in the history of the House and has continued to be a 
     valued mentor since his retirement; Thomas P. `Tip' 
     O'Neill, whose good humor and warmth toward me survived 
     some parliamentary decisions which he must have found 
     vexing; Jim

[[Page H2863]]

     Wright, whose eloquence and courage are unflagging. 
     Finally, Mr. Speaker, I must say how much I have valued 
     your friendship and support. You have always been 
     sensitive and faithful to the distinctions between 
     political and parliamentary decisions and your gavel has 
     been both firm and impartial. The opportunities you have 
     given me to interact with other parliamentary 
     institutions, particularly with the newly emerging 
     democratic republics in eastern Europe, have revealed new 
     horizons which I hope to explore more fully in the future. 
     Programs to encourage and foster parliamentary democracy 
     in that area of our world are of critical importance. The 
     House can be proud of the contribution it is making to 
     this effort and if I can be of assistance in these 
     endeavors I will be available to do so.
       I must acknowledge the courtesies and cooperation shown me 
     by the distinguished Minority leader, Bob Michel. He has 
     always shown an appreciation of the role of our office and he 
     and his staff have been of inestimable support. To have known 
     so many of his predecessors, such distinguished men as Joe 
     Martin, Charley Halleck, John Rhodes and Gerald Ford, has 
     been a rare privilege. All of these Leaders have made the 
     House a better place and have left an indelible mark on its 
     history.
       I will miss the many friendships with Members that have 
     formed over the years. May I extend to them, through you, my 
     appreciation for their kindnesses.
       With your concurrence, my termination as Parliamentarian 
     will be effective on September 15, 1994.
           Very respectfully yours,
                                                 Wm. Holmes Brown.

       The SPEAKER. It is with great regret that the Chair accepts 
     the resignation of the distinguished Parliamentarian of the 
     House Wm. Holmes Brown.
       Pursuant to the provisions of 2 U.S.C. 297a, the Chair 
     announces that on September 16, 1994, he appointed Charles W. 
     Johnson as Parliamentarian of the House of Representatives to 
     succeed Wm. Holmes Brown, resigned.
                                  ____


          A Warm Farewell to William H. Brown, Parliamentarian


             (House of Representatives--September 20, 1994)

       (Mr. MICHEL asked and was given permission to address the 
     House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
       Mr. MICHEL. Mr. Speaker, I think the news that was just 
     announced here, that the Parliamentarian of the House is 
     going to retire, comes as a sad note for many of us who have 
     known Bill through all of these years, although I am happy 
     that he is leaving in a commensurate year with my own 
     retirement. He could not be leaving at a better time, from 
     that standpoint.
       However, things have changed since I first started in this 
     House. At that time the Parliamentarian was Lou Deschler, 
     referred to by those who dared to call him `the Judge.' He 
     was a tough old bird. He would not talk to staff, and he 
     would hardly talk to Members.
       I remember one time I took him five different versions of 
     an amendment prohibiting food stamps for strikers and said, 
     `Okay, Judge, one of these has got to be in order.' And you 
     see, he had the only copy of all the precedents of the House 
     from 1936 on in his office, and he had all the power.
       Bill Brown has changed all that. He and his staff have done 
     a magnificent job in compiling and publishing those the Judge 
     had kept hidden. He has done an excellent job organizing the 
     Office of the Parliamentarian and helping the membership. 
     Many of the precedents are now `on-line', available through 
     the House Information System.
       Bill was born in West Virginia, receiving a bachelor of 
     science degree from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania in 
     1951. He received his law degree from the University of 
     Chicago, out our way in Illinois, and served in the Naval 
     Reserve with active duty in the Persian Gulf , returning as a 
     lieutenant commander in 1974.
       Bill was first appointed Assistant Parliamentarian by 
     Speaker Sam Rayburn, and then became Parliamentarian in 1974 
     under Speaker Albert, and has served under six Speakers of 
     the House.
       Bill has been a great Parliamentarian, but most do not 
     realize that he is also a farmer. He lives in a 200-year-old 
     home on the Oakland Green Farm, has expanded the log cabin 
     with a stone addition, and later a brick addition. Bill, I am 
     not sure about the aluminum siding you and your lovely wife 
     Jean have now added.
       The Browns do have one daughter, Sarah, who is currently 
     studying in Kenya.
       Being a farmer and a Parliamentarian involves a lot of 
     work. He is often late coming in, as he has been birthing 
     calves, or on snowy days he has had to drive his tractor to a 
     main road to get a ride. You cannot miss his car in the 
     Rayburn garage, as it looks like he keeps it in the chicken 
     coop all night.
       Bill, we are sorely going to miss you, and can imagine your 
     reciting precedents to your cows as the Congress continues 
     writing new ones. I believe we will still use your 
     expertise in attempting to finalize the publishing of the 
     Deschler-Brown precedents, which I will always consider 
     the `Brown volumes.'
       Taking Bill's place in the top spot is someone who I also 
     have known and argued with many a time, Charlie Johnson.
       We have had a good laugh telling the story of when Charlie 
     first was working for the Judge, and Lou assigned Charlie the 
     responsibility of compiling old contested election cases. 
     Charlie worked for weeks, researching and writing, only to 
     find out later that they were all neatly compiled in Cannon's 
     precedents.
       Charlie still works harder than he needs to. He is a good 
     guy and a dedicated worker. He is the perfect choice. 
     Charlie, I hope you will last longer than Lehr Fess, who some 
     of you may not know lasted just a year.
       Best to you, Bill, and we know, Charlie, John, Tom, and 
     Muftiah will carry on the strong tradition of professionalism 
     and cooperation that you started.
                                  ____


Tribute to the Honorable William Holmes Brown, Parliamentarian, on His 
                               Retirement


             (House of Representatives--September 20, 1994)

       (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

[[Page H2864]]

     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.
                                  ____


              William Holmes Brown; House Parliamentarian

           [From the Washington Post, Tuesday, May 29, 2001]

       William Holmes Brown, 71, parliamentarian of the U.S. House 
     of Representatives from 1974 until 1994 and author of ``House 
     Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of 
     the House,'' died of a vascular ailment May 27 at Loudoun 
     Hospital Center.
       He lived at Oakland Green Farm, the Lincoln property his 
     family has owned for more than eight generations.
       Mr. Brown served under six speakers of the House as an 
     adviser on procedure and practice. He began as assistant 
     parliamentarian in 1958 and collaborated with parliamentarian 
     Lewis Deschler in volumes of ``Precedents of the House of 
     Representatives.'' They are referred to in the House as the 
     Deschler-Brown Precedents.
       Mr. Brown also worked on behalf of the House on 
     parliamentary development projects in Eastern Europe and 
     Mozambique. he participated in seminars in Poland, Estonia, 
     Slovakia, Albania and Romania and in training programs in the 
     United States for representatives of other national 
     legislative bodies.
       After he retired, he worked for the Agency for 
     International Development on a parliamentary development 
     project in Ukraine.
       Mr. Brown was a native of Huntington, W.Va. He was a 
     graduate of Swarthmore College and the University of 
     Chicago's law school. He served in the Navy in the Middle 
     East and the Mediterranean and remained in the Navy Reserve 
     until 1974.
       He was a director of the Conversations a Oaklands 
     organization and the Loudoun Museum and a member of the 
     Catoctin Farmers Club and the Goose Creek Friends Meeting.
       Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Jean Smith Brown, 
     and a daughter, Sara Holmes Brown, both of Lincoln.

                          ____________________