[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 78 (Thursday, May 22, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E825-E826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CARRYE B. BROWN

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2014

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a true trail 
blazer, Carrye B. Brown, on the 20th anniversary of her appointment as 
our nation's first female and first African American U.S. Fire 
Administrator. A D.C.

[[Page E826]]

resident most of her life, Mrs. Brown used her skills and personality 
to work with Federal agencies, Congress and the fire service community 
to achieve the goal of a safer America.
  As a congressional staffer in 1982, Mrs. Brown successfully 
coordinated the effort to continue the U.S. Fire Administration after 
its recommended elimination. Also, Mrs. Brown was instrumental in the 
passage of many important pieces of legislation, including the Federal 
Fire Prevention and Control Act, the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 
1990, and the Fire Administration Authorization Act of 1992, which led 
to the establishment of the ``National Fallen Firefighters 
Foundation''.
  President William J. Clinton and a parade of witnesses testified on 
her behalf 20 years ago at her nomination hearing. I was proud to 
testify at her hearing myself to assist her in making history as the 
first female African American U.S. fire administrator. As U.S. Fire 
Administrator, her management innovations included the development of 
the first complete and transparent budget accountability system, and 
the establishment of a fair and equitable pay and promotion policy. 
With her extensive background as a congressional staffer, she developed 
strong justifications for the largest budget increase in the 25-year 
history of the agency. Under her strong leadership, the agency 
implemented the first fire safety program targeting groups at the 
highest risk of fire.
  Mrs. Brown has traveled widely to speak on women becoming successful 
in government, women as leaders and managers in non-traditional 
positions, and the joys and perils of a political appointee. After 
retiring from the Federal government, she worked for over a decade as a 
teacher and tutor for students with learning differences in Washington, 
D.C. Her husband Larry and herself, have three children and one 
grandson. Our nation is better because of Mrs. Brown.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
thanking Mrs. Carrye B. Brown for her dedicated public service and her 
many accomplishments.

                          ____________________