[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E641-E642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RONALD H. BROWN UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 10, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 837, the ``Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United 
Nations Building''. I would like to thank my colleague Charlie Rangel 
for introducing this legislation. H.R. 837 moves to designate the 
federal building at 799 United Nations Plaza in New York as the Ronald 
H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building.
  Former United States Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton, 
Ronald Brown, has always been a dedicated U.S servant. Born in 
Washington, DC, he quickly showed an interest in public service, as a 
young man he was a member of the African-American social and 
philanthropic organization. Brown also worked for the Jack and Jill 
foundation, an organization that works to help children to have 
cultural opportunities, develop leadership skills, and form social 
networks even in a segregated society.
  Having not only a passion for public service Brown had a strong 
desire to serve his country as well. In 1962 upon graduation of 
Middlebury College he enlisted in the army, where he served in Korea 
and Europe.
  Upon being discharged Brown joined the National Urban League, an 
organization that aims at advocating on behalf of African Americans and 
against racial discrimination in the United States. He would excel 
within the organization where he moved all the way up to Deputy 
Executive Director for Programs and Governmental Affairs. Following his 
service with the National Urban League, he immediately began fighting 
for another great American public servant, Edward M. Kennedy. Brown 
served as campaign manager for the now second most senior member of the 
United States Senate.
  After running Kennedy's successful Senate campaign, Brown began a 
string of political occupations that include lobbying for the law firm 
Patton, Boggs & Blow, Head of the Jesse Jackson convention team for the 
Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. Finally Brown was elected 
chairman of the Democratic National Committee in February of 1989. 
Tragically, on April 3. 1996 on an official trade mission, his plane 
carrying him and 34 other passengers struck a mountain while attempting 
a procedural landing.
  Ronald H. Brown was a man that dedicated his entire life to bettering 
the lives of others. Whether it be young African Americans in New York, 
fighting for the freedom of all Americans in some of the worlds most 
dangerous battlefields, or working day in and out to help promote and 
excel the careers of others whose ideals and policies he believed would 
better the nation. Brown's is a story that deserves to be recognized 
everyday. I feel designating a building in his name is the perfect way 
to recognize this true American public servant. This building will 
stand long after generations have gone and will hopefully remind all 
generations to come, that a dedicated spirit

[[Page E642]]

and a devotion to country are qualities that deserve recognition.
  Mr. Speaker I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 837, designating the 
federal building at 799 United Nations Plaza in New York as the 
``Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations 
Building''. To recognize a great American man who devoted his life to 
the betterment of his country.

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