[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 64 (Friday, May 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E831]]



IN HONOR OF FORMER MEMBER GEORGE E. BROWN, JR. AND THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY 
          OF THE FOUNDING OF THE MONTEREY PARK DEMOCRATIC CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2002

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise to today in great honor to ask the 
House of Representatives to pause to remember a former Member of 
Congress, George E. Brown, Jr, and to pay tribute to him and to the 
Monterey Park Democratic Club, which he helped found 50 years ago.
  As a new Representative to Congress, I know that I stand on the 
shoulders of many giants who have come before me, including the longest 
serving Member of Congress in the history of my state--George Brown.
  Fifty years ago, in his early thirties, George Brown had settled in 
the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park. With several other civicly-
active residents, he helped found the Democratic Club of that 
community. George was its first President. Today, the Club is headed by 
President Irving Willner, a Club member for 48 years and its longest 
serving President at ``only'' 18 years of service.
  From being Club President, George ran for public office. Like many 
here in this body, he lost his first race. But he had persistence and 
conviction, ran again, and was elected to the Monterey Park City 
Council, became Mayor, then was elected to the California State 
Assembly in 1958. He ran and was elected to the U.S. House of 
Representatives in 1962. In 1970, he left his House seat to run for the 
U.S. Senate. He lost in a close Democratic primary. He then ran again 
for the House in 1972, and won. And he continued to win. Even though he 
had some of the most consistently close races in the nation, George won 
14 more times, winning his last race in 1998, before passing away in 
1999. A tremendous electoral record.
  George Brown had an impressive public policy record. He was known in 
Congress for his support for anti-poverty programs, for peace, for 
space and scientific advancement, and for civil rights and tolerance of 
diversity--a cause that he shared deeply with the Monterey Park 
Democratic Club.
  George remains deeply remembered and appreciated in Monterey Park and 
by the past and current members of the Monterey Park Democratic Club. 
As social commentators have long noted about America, it is our freedom 
to form voluntary clubs and associations that keeps America vibrant and 
gives Americans a good part of our ability to exercise our political 
rights and participate in our political system. Through their 50 years 
of organizational life, the Monterey Park Democratic Club and its 
members have helped the people of Monterey Park become civicly active 
in the cause of a continually better city, a better nation, and a 
better world.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House of Representatives join me today in 
honoring the 50th anniversary of the Monterey Park Democratic Club and 
in paying tribute to their first president, the Honorable George E. 
Brown, Jr., and all the members of the Club.

                          ____________________