[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1739-E1740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING SERGEANT MAJOR EDWARD BROWN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sergeant 
Major Edward Brown, Jr., who has distinguished himself with 
extraordinarily meritorious service during his 30-year career in the 
United States Army, leading up to a commendable tenure at Letterkenny 
Army Depot, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. A long-standing track record of 
superior and dedicated leadership proves that Sergeant Major Brown is 
the kind of leader that other soldiers try to emulate and that the Army 
recognizes as the exemplary soldier.
  Throughout his career, Sergeant Major Brown has been an exceptional, 
active, and inspiring leader. His positions of leadership include those 
of squad leader, platoon sergeant, battalion motor sergeant and 
maintenance non-commissioned officer in charge, multiple tours as 
company sergeant, and most recently Sergeant Major at Letterkenny Army 
Depot.
  In the past 10 years Sergeant Brown has served in extraordinary 
places, such as Germany, Bosnia, Ft. Campbell, Ft. Huachuca, and 
Letterkenny, and has made significant contributions to each. In each 
location he held positions of leadership, with a responsibility for the 
welfare of soldiers, units, installations, and civilian members of the 
defense workforce.
  Notable in Sergeant Major Brown's career is his tour of duty at 
Letterkenny Army Depot. He served 4 years there, and personally made 
tremendous and direct contributions and changes to the Depot. When 
Sergeant Major Brown arrived on July 1, 2001, the Depot was in a state 
of decline and malaise due to the fact that it had already undergone 
three rounds of the Base Realignment and Closing (BRAC) process. 
Sergeant Major Brown was instrumental in the mission of turning the 
depot around, bringing renewed vigor and a sense of purpose into the 
workplace.

  Sergeant Major Brown began his tenure at Letterkenny at a most 
inauspicious time, just prior to the tragic events that took place on 
September 11, 2001. He immediately increased the Force Protection 
posture required by the attacks on the United States. Because of the 
open terrain and layout that characterize the Depot, the task of 
securing the mission and personnel at Letterkenny was made even more 
difficult. However, Sergeant Major Brown worked tirelessly with the 
organic guard assets of the Depot and with newly assigned troops from 
the National Guard and Reserve to ensure that Letterkenny remained 
secure until all immediate danger had passed.
  Sergeant Major Brown, working as part of the Command Team, inspired 
and moved the workforce forward through post-modernization and 
beautification programs, LEAN implementation, and proactive leadership. 
As a result of his guidance, Letterkenny improved so much that the 
Depot has been selected to grow in the next BRAC round, an 
accomplishment that may be traced directly to his personal efforts.

[[Page E1740]]

  During Sergeant Major Brown's career he has participated in Operation 
Desert Storm and Shield, Operation Joint Endeavor, and the global war 
on terrorism. Sergeant Major Brown has also been recognized by his 
peers for exceptional service and dedication, and has been awarded the 
Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharp Medal; he is also a member of the Audie 
Murphy Club. Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Major Edward Brown, Jr. has played a 
crucial role in the defense of the United States and in the service of 
other citizens. It is because of this that I wish to acknowledge him 
today.

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