[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING RALPH AND ROBERT BROWN FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF WOUNDED WARRIORS

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                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2009

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor two of my 
constituents, brothers Ralph and Robert Brown. Ralph and Robert will be 
attempting a 2nd Guinness World Record this summer by sailing non-stop 
across the Atlantic Ocean from Tampa, Florida to Hamburg, Germany to 
raise funds for Wounded Warrior Foundations.
  In 2007, Ralph and Robert set their first Guinness World Record for 
the ``longest nonstop ocean voyage in a flats boat'' traveling from 
North Carolina to Bermuda and back to New York in a 21-foot open 
fishing boat of their own design. This voyage garnered a great deal of 
publicity and convinced the brothers to use this notoriety to raise 
money for Wounded Warriors Organizations in the future. Ralph and 
Robert will be using the publicity from their second voyage to raise 
money for six Wounded Warrior and Disabled Veterans Organizations, 
having set a goal of $3 million.
  In 1980, former Marine Ralph Brown was placed on the roster to 
liberate the American Embassy in Iran during the hostage takeover. 
However, at the last minute Ralph's group was replaced by another group 
of soldiers, out of which three men were killed. Mr. Brown and his 
brother have since dedicated their lives to honoring the lives of these 
three soldiers and their many other brave countrymen.
  Madam Speaker, Ralph and Robert Brown truly are doing more than just 
saying ``thanks,'' by raising money and awareness for our nation's 
wounded warriors. And they are doing so in one of the most original 
manners possible.

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