[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO HARRY BROWNE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2006

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, America lost a great champion of liberty when 
Harry Browne passed away on March 1, at the age of 72. Harry had a 
passion for liberty and knowledge of a wide variety of subjects. His 
communication style, as he himself so marvelously put it, focused on 
converting his opponents rather than winning the argument. These 
attributes helped make him one of the most effective proponents of the 
freedom philosophy I have had the privilege of knowing. Harry's 
numerous books and columns, his radio and Internet broadcasts, and his 
speeches educated millions in sound economics and the benefits of a 
free society. Harry motivated many people to become activists in the 
movement to restore American liberties.
  Harry first came to public attention in the 1970 when he penned a 
best-selling investment book, How You Can Profit From the Coming 
Devaluation, which foresaw President Richard Nixon's abandonment of the 
gold standard and the ways the American economy would be damaged by the 
inevitable resulting inflation. Harry's book helped many Americans 
survive, and even profit, during the economic troubles of the 
seventies. It also introduced millions of people to the insights 
developed by followers of the Austrian school of economics regarding 
the dangers fiat currency poses to both prosperity and liberty posed by 
fiat. How You Can Profit From the Coming Devaluation is generally 
recognized as the founding document of the hard money movement, which 
combined the insights of the Austrian economists with a practical 
investment strategy.
  Harry's third book, You Can Profit from a Monetary Crisis, reached 
number one on the New York Times bestseller list. Other popular books 
by Harry include How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World, The Great 
Libertarian Offer, and Why Government Doesn't Work. I was pleased to 
write the foreword for one of Harry's books, Liberty A-Z: Libertarian 
Soundbites You Can Use Right Now, a collection of direct, thought-
provoking, and often humorous responses to the questions advocates of 
the freedom philosophy face.
  During the nineties, Harry worked to advance liberty as a 
presidential candidate, columnist, radio talk-show host, and columnist. 
He also hosted an internet-based talk show and founded DownsizeDC, a 
grassroots advocacy group whose goals are accurately summed up in its 
title. Even while struggling with Lou Gehrig's disease, Harry 
maintained a full schedule of writing, hosting his radio show, and 
speaking around the country.
  Harry's efforts were not limited to the economic realm. He understood 
the threat to liberty and prosperity posed by global crusades for 
democracy, as well as the importance of opposing restrictions on civil 
liberties. Harry's outspoken defense of civil liberties and the 
Framers' foreign policy of nonintervention took on added importance in 
the last years of his life when too many self-styled advocates of 
liberty attempted to curry favor with the political establishment by 
focusing solely on issues of economic liberty or combined advocacy of 
low taxes and regulations with active support for militarism and 
restrictions on personal liberty.
  In all his educational, financial, and political work Harry served as 
a model for everyone who works for the free society. Harry was 
principled and uncompromising in message, while temperate and 
respectful of differing opinions in delivery. He avoided the 
histrionics too common in our today's talk show culture, and he never 
personalized his arguments. Even when an opponent resorted to ad 
hominem attacks, Harry always kept his presentation on the high ground 
of ideas and principles. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I extend my 
sympathy to Harry Browne's wife, Pamela, and daughter Auburn, as well 
as the many he befriend in his years in the freedom movement, and I pay 
tribute to Harry Browne for his lifelong efforts on behalf of 
individual liberty.

                          ____________________