[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 2927]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JAMES BROWN

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize James Walter 
Brown, a true public servant, an accomplished businessman, and a 
longtime family friend. Over the course of the last 30 years, Jim has 
served at some of the highest levels of the State and Federal 
Governments; most recently, as my chief of staff here in the Senate. 
For 9 years, my staff and I benefitted from his considerable 
experience, sage counsel, and signature personal charm.
  Jim's impressive academic credentials prepared him well for success: 
a diploma from Scranton Preparatory School; an undergraduate degree 
from Villanova University; and a J.D. from the University of Virginia. 
He also has a combination of substantial public and private sector 
experience from which to draw. He began his public service career as a 
counsel and, later, staff director for the Subcommittee on Oversight 
for the House Banking Committee. After serving the Federal Government, 
Jim returned to Pennsylvania to join the prestigious Pennsylvania law 
firm, Dilworth Paxson, where my father was a partner. In a pattern that 
would be repeated throughout his career, Jim's skill and dedication 
were quickly recognized by those around him, and he made partner 
himself in just 4 short years.
  When my father was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 1986, he asked 
Jim to return to public service as the Secretary of the Department of 
General Services for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He would serve 
only 10 months in that position before being called on again by my 
father, this time to take on the role of executive secretary to the 
Governor. Jim continued to prove his commitment to his work and to 
Pennsylvania, and in 1989, Governor Casey named him chief of staff at 
the young age of 37. Serving as one of the chief executive officers in 
one of the most populous States in the Nation is a daunting task, but 
Jim approached this challenge like he would every other in his life: 
with poise, determination, and a commitment to excellence. He served as 
chief of staff until late 1994. His strong and patient manner was 
crucial in guiding State government through the difficult months of 
1993 while Governor Casey recuperated from serious health issues. After 
leaving State service, he continued his dedication to Pennsylvania 
through his service as chairman of the Pennsylvania Higher Education 
Facilities Authority, chairman of the Pennsylvania Public School 
Building Authority, and chairman of the Finance Committee of the 
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
  When I was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006, I knew Jim would be 
the best architect to help me build my Senate organization. He moved to 
recruit the best and brightest for our team and quickly set up a highly 
functional and transparent office to work for the best interests of the 
citizens of Pennsylvania. He fostered an internal culture of hard work 
and mutual respect and established a firm open door policy within the 
office. Jim eschewed the notion of a hierarchical Senate office and 
referred to himself as the ``first among equals,'' rolling up his 
sleeves ``for the good of the order,'' as he was fond of saying. He 
took a particular interest in the professional development of our 
junior staff and interns, happily engaging in countless career 
counseling sessions, as he called them. While some managers quickly 
forget about the staff who move on, Jim did the opposite; instead, he 
grew with care a formidable alumni association of past staff and 
interns, staying in touch with people as their careers took them to 
different posts here in Washington and beyond.
  It is a rare honor to work with anyone of Jim's caliber, but rarer 
still when that person can be counted as one of your closest friends. 
Over the years, from his time as a mid-level staffer in the House of 
Representatives, to the chief of staff to the Governor of Pennsylvania, 
from his success in the private sector, to his public service in the 
Senate, Jim has always stood out as exceptional. Serving in the Senate 
has been one the highest honors of my life, equaled only by the 
privilege of working with a man of such integrity and professionalism.
  As Jim leaves Senate service, I must thank his patient wife Lynne, 
who tolerated her husband living in Washington for half of every week 
in the name of public service. While Jim's day job kept him closer to 
his son, Patrick; daughter-in law, Michelle; and daughter, Laura, I 
know he is eager to give his Buick a rest and spend more time back at 
home in the Commonwealth. I wish Jim and his entire family good health 
and good fortune as they embark on this next phase of their lives.

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