H11832 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 9, 1999 had been confidently predicted by the Ad- As my colleagues have heard, the leg- freon; the importance of keeping space devel- ministration and the business community. islature is coming to an end. And it opment under civilian control; and the neces- We respectfully submit that the Rosenthal would be a very sad end if we did not sity of monitoring global climate change. In columns on religious persecution merit a pay tribute to one of the most distin- due time, Congress adopted these issues as Pulitzer Prize for Commentary if only be- cause they broke new ground on an impor- guished California citizens to ever legislation. tant subject, and did so with accuracy, force- serve in the United States Congress, Style of argument: Brown cultivated a polite fulness and passion. We also believe that re- our beloved George Brown, who passed and courtly style of argument. His reliance on lated and perhaps even stronger grounds away this year as a Member of the reason coupled with the respect he showed exist for the award to be granted. House. his opponents made him a very effective ad- First, the Rosenthal columns enhanced the So tonight, surrounded by his family vocate and enabled him to form alliances with institutional credibility of the press with and friends, Members of the California people of all political parties. many religious believers who had seen the delegation and other States have come Human qualities: Cigar chomping, rumpled mainline press as patronizing if not hostile. forward and would like to express their suit, pacifist, social democrat, fierce idealist, a They were read and cherished by millions, maverick. At UCLA, he helped create some of not only in the New York Times, but also feelings and sympathies for the great through mass recirculation in denomina- life of a great man who served longer in the first cooperative student housing and was tional newsletters, religious broadcasts and the United States Congress than any first to integrate campus housing by rooming actual worship services. They educated many other Member in California history. with Tom BradleyÐthe future Mayor of Los to the power and virtue of a free press. I am very pleased to be able to share Angeles. Joined the Army despite his pacifist Next, the columns played a central role in this hour of colloquy, hour of memorial leanings in order to serve the country. the enactment of major, potentially historic resolutions with the gentleman from Inspiration to California Democrats: The cur- legislation. As nothing else, they galvanized California (Mr. LEWIS), my esteemed rent California Democratic party is replete with and sustained the remarkable interfaith individuals who worked on Brown's several movement that supported the legislation, colleague and very close friend of George Brown and his neighbor. campaigns, including Senator Boxer. Dean of and ensured Congressional attentiveness to the California Congressional Delegation. He the issue. It can be categorically stated: I would like to call upon the gen- Without the Rosenthal columns, the Inter- tleman from California (Mr. LEWIS) was our hero, and our inspiration to continue national Religious Freedom Act of 1998 first. And then we are going to be shar- championing good and fighting evil. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman would not have become law. ing, as Members want to express their from California (Mr. LEWIS), my col- Finally, we believe that the Rosenthal col- concerns and try to keep their remarks league and esteemed friend, the chair umns legitimated today’s increasing cov- to several minutes. Because we can see erage of anti-Christian persecutions in coun- of the Republican delegation from Cali- there are many people here that want tries like India, Pakistan and Indonesia, and fornia. generated new perspectives on the coverage to speak. Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speak- of countries ranging from China to Egypt, Mr. Speaker, ``I believe in human dignity as er, I appreciate my colleague yielding. from Sudan to Vietnam. Until the Rosenthal the source of national purpose, human liberty Mr. Speaker, I am wondering, let me columns, the notion of Christians as victims as the source of national action, the human ask my colleague a question if I can by rather than victimizers didn’t seem quite heart as the source of national compassion, plausible to many editors and reporters. The way of procedure. I know there are and in the human mind as the source of our Members on both sides who are asking fact that it now does is a powerful tribute to invention and our ideas.'' JFK quote. what the columns have done. for time, etcetera, and I have made a Seldom in our experience has a single voice He was a great man and a distinguished list and so on. Should we kind of divide been so instrumental in raising public con- public servant; 45 years of public service; 36 this time in a way that I can distribute sciousness on an issue of such major impor- years in the House, the longest serving Con- time and ask the Chair for unanimous tance. The passion and integrity of the gress member in California history. consent for that? Rosenthal columns on religious persecution Won first electionÐas Monterey Park city Mr. FARR of California. I have no ob- have transformed American policies and in- councilman and became mayor one year later. jection. stitutions, and religious liberty throughout Member of the California State Legislature. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the world. American journalism has long First elected to U.S. Congress in 1962. Unlike the procedures of this Special Order, been honored by Mr. Rosenthal’s work, but other politicians, he did not read the pollsÐNo never more so than by his pathbreaking col- the gentleman from California (Mr. umns on a subject that he, often alone, other member of Congress cast more ``un- FARR) controls the time and distrib- moved a nation to care about and to act. safe'' votesÐand live to tell the tale. utes the time. Very truly yours, Best known for his work on science and Mr. LEWIS of California. If he yields Elie Wiesel, Virgil C. Dechant, Rabbi technology: ``With his passing, science and half of it to me, then can I distribute Norman Lamm, John Cardinal O’Con- technology lost its most knowledgeable advo- it? nor, Rabbi Alexander Schindler, R. cate, he embraced the future by articulating a The SPEAKER pro tempore. There is Lamar Vest, Wei Jingsheng, William vision that includes harnessing science and an hour on the clock, which is reserved Bennett, Lodi G. Gyari, Bette Bao technology to achieve sustainable develop- Lord, Paige Patterson, James M. Stan- to designees of the Leadership; and the ton, Commissioner Robert A. Watson. ment.'' Chair will not recognize for subdivi- George Brown quote from NY Times inter- sions of that hour. We thank him for his commitment to view: ``From my earliest days, I was fascinated Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speak- the people. by science. I was fascinated by a utopian vi- er, I very much appreciate any col- f sion of what the world could be like. I've league yielding. Let me say that I intend to make the ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER thought that science could be the basis for a bulk of my remarks at the end of this PRO TEMPORE better world, and that's what I've been trying to do all these years.'' session. But let us begin by indicating The SPEAKER pro tempore. The He had the foresight to champion the cre- to the body that oft times, especially Chair, without it being considered a ation of the Environmental Protection Agency, with the advent of C-SPAN, the public precedent for changing the proper se- the Office of Technology Assessment, and the very often sees only the confrontation quence of Special Orders, and pursuant Office of Science and Technology Policy. Rec- between the two sides of the aisle, de- to the unanimous consent request of ognized leader in forming the institutional bate swirling around very important the majority leader, will recognize the framework for science and technology in the issues that sometimes takes us to the gentleman from California (Mr. FARR) Federal Government. Led effort to move the extreme of expression and confronta- for 1 hour without prejudice to the re- National Science Foundation into more active tions that is the presumed norm. sumption of 5-minute Special Orders. roles in engineering, science, education and I must say that, over the years, I f the development of advanced technologies. have had great pleasure in the fact Had the vision, courage and integrity to that George Brown and I found working TRIBUTE TO LATE HON. GEORGE have remained ahead of the mainstream: In together that we had so much more in BROWN the California Assembly authored first bill in common than our people who watch us Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, the nation to ban lead in gasoline. Recog- on the football team of politics in our I appreciate the consideration given to nized, early on: the environmental hazards of home district territory would ever re- this special order. burning fossil fuels; the destructive effect of alize.

VerDate 29-OCT-99 06:34 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00126 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09NO7.160 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 November 9, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11833 For the Members’ information, our know that she will continue Mr. legislation. In fact, he introduced the commonality for me began when as a Brown’s legacy of boundless curiosity first bill in the Nation to ban lead in young person just out of college enter- and forging public policy that advances gasoline in the early 1960s. ing the life insurance business, I set- social justice. He was elected to the House of Rep- tled in a small town outside of Los An- Representative Brown, who became resentatives in 1962 where he fought for geles for a couple of years to be close one of my best friends here, embodied passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to the big city. the best that the House of Representa- and worked hard to stop U.S. participa- The local assemblyman at that point tives has to offer. He was committed to tion in the Vietnam War. His career of in time was one George Brown, and public service, fought for social justice public service spanned more than 40 that is when I first heard of this legis- and became the Nation’s foremost pol- years. He truly was a legislator for all lator and friend to be. icymaker when it came to science and seasons and the breadth of his interests Not too long after that, George technology. He was a good listener and spanned many horizons, from space ex- sought his seat in the U.S. House of that is one of the reasons he was so ploration to social justice. successful. He took the time to under- Representatives and served there for a Mr. Speaker, this House is a better stand his constituents and their prob- distinguished period of time that was a place because George Brown served lems. He believed that lawmakers part of his distinguished career. He here. I am proud to have known him should do their own homework, learn then sought a seat, or at least the nom- and the country has moved forward be- the issues and know how the issues af- ination, in the U.S. Senate and left the cause of his service in this Chamber. Congress for a while. fect their constituents. He prided him- In the meantime, I had returned self on doing his own research. Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, home to San Bernardino County. It was I served with Mr. Brown on the House I yield to the gentleman from Cali- years after that initial contact in Mon- Committee on Science and the longer fornia (Mr. LEWIS) who will yield to terey Park that I got to know George we served together, the greater my ad- other Members from California. as a candidate for the Congress in our miration for him grew. As chairman of Mr. LEWIS of California. I appreciate territory near his former home in Col- the House Committee on Science dur- my colleague yielding. It is my privi- ton, California. He served in the Con- ing the 102nd and 103rd Congresses, he lege to yield to the gentleman from gress for a period of time before I ar- reached the pinnacle of his legislative California (Mr. CALVERT). rived here. But over the years, we de- career. He was the recognized leader in Mr. CALVERT. I thank the gen- veloped a very, very close personal re- forming the institutional framework tleman for yielding. George Brown. I lationship. for science and technology in the Fed- am a conservative. George was an un- Most importantly, we developed a eral Government. He worked tirelessly abashed liberal. We were opposites in professional relationship, as well. And to expand the scope of NASA as one of this business. But most importantly, as his wife Marta that is in the cham- the Federal Government’s lead agen- George was my friend. I certainly put bers with us in person but in spirit in cies in promoting research and devel- forth my sympathy to the family, many more ways, along with her fam- opment. Marta, everyone that is here today. ily, it is my privilege to share with my In the 1960s and again in the 1980s, he I have got to talk about my first colleagues the thoughts of some of the helped restructure the National memory of George Brown. I was in our Members on this side of the aisle as we Science Foundation by directing that family restaurant in Corona, Cali- distribute time to them and we very agency into more active roles in engi- fornia. George was our Congressman. I much look forward to hearing a great neering and the development of ad- think I was probably 11 years old or so deal about this wonderful character vanced technologies. He also redirected at the time. He was sitting there with who was a wonderful diplomat as well the National Science Foundation to be- my father having a drink and smoking as ambassador here in the House of come the Nation’s lead Federal agency a cigar, arguing the issues of the day, Representatives. in promoting mathematics, science, en- very passionately. George was a very gineering and technology. His efforts b 2030 passionate person, someone who be- have had a lasting impact on the devel- lieved very strongly in what he be- GENERAL LEAVE opment of these disciplines for kinder- lieved in and would advocate those Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, garten through 12th graders and more. issues and beliefs very ably here on the I ask unanimous consent that all Mem- He recognized that today’s students floor. bers may have 5 legislative days within will become tomorrow’s workers. To be As I mentioned, he was my Member which to revise and extend their re- successful, these students must be of Congress since I was a young boy marks on the subject of my special technologically fluent and that will and all through high school. As a order today. not happen without a strong commit- young Republican campaigning for peo- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ment from the Federal Government ple against George in the early days, I WALDEN of Oregon). Is there objection working hand in hand and in coordina- remember one time George giving me a to the request of the gentleman from tion with the private sector. He under- call one time and we had an opponent California? stood that fact. There was no objection. He developed legislation that estab- running against him. He called me up Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, lished the Office of Science and Tech- and he said, ‘‘Can you get that guy to I yield to the distinguished gentle- nology to focus the Nation’s policy in run against me one more time?’’ He al- ways had a sense of humor. He always woman from Texas (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE these areas. In the 1970s, he cham- participated in debates. JOHNSON). pioned the creation of the Environ- Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of mental Protection Agency and the Of- I have got to admit, one time we had Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the fice of Technology Assessment. He also a debate and he came up to the podium, gentleman from California (Mr. LEWIS) directed the Congress toward and he looked over at the audience and and the gentleman from California (Mr. groundbreaking initiatives for energy he said, ‘‘Look. I’m overweight, I prob- FARR) for setting aside this time to and resource conservation, sustainable ably smoke too much, I don’t dress as give tribute and salute to George agriculture, wind energy, global cli- well as I should.’’ Everybody looked at Brown, our House colleague who died mate change research and space explo- him aghast. He looked over at his oppo- earlier this year after representing his ration. Throughout his career, he en- nent and said, ‘‘I just thought I’d point constituents in California for more thusiastically supported both piloted that out before my opponent did.’’ than 34 years. He is survived, as it has space flight and nonpiloted space ex- He had a great way about him. He en- been said, by his wife Marta and their ploration. deared himself to all of us. George, six children. She is here with us in the Before being elected to the Congress, most importantly, was known for the Chamber and we are delighted to see he was the mayor of Monterey Park, business that he conducted here in the her. Many of us are aware of Marta’s California. Later he was elected to the House. Certainly he was a chairman of strong interest in public service and California State Assembly where he the Committee on Science, was known her commitment to social change. I worked on labor and environmental as Mr. Science. He had a deep love of

VerDate 29-OCT-99 06:27 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00127 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09NO7.232 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 H11834 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 9, 1999 science and the institutional frame- work but one that really shows his de- In 1962, he was elected to Congress. work for science and technology in this votion to science and his love of what Thirty years later, I was fortunate to government. we are trying to do in this country to be elected to Congress and to become a In the mid 1960s and again in the make it a better country for all of us member of his Committee on Science 1980s, he led an effort to restructure as Americans. when he was the chair. In recent years, and strengthen the National Science Mr. Speaker, with that I would like as chair of the Committee on Science, Foundation, moving the agency into a to say I am going to miss George, I am George began to challenge the sci- much more active role in engineering, going to miss seeing George right over entific community to reflect on the so- science education and the development here on the House floor on a daily basis cial implications of their work and the of advanced technologies. He developed and going over and having our daily ethical obligations that come with legislation shaping the permanent chats, chitchatting about what is going their high standing. science advisory mechanism in the Ex- on at home in the Inland Empire and Every day I mourn the loss of this ecutive Office of the President, which working with him to make the Inland gentleman leader. I sometimes wonder was established in 1976 as the Office of Empire a better place. But I will work how we will meet the demands of a Science and Technology Policy. He was hard to make our area a better place world and a Nation challenged by the a strong proponent of environmental for our constituents. It is going to be need for a technically educated work- preservation and of science and tech- more difficult without George. force without our leader George Brown. Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, nology in the service of society. b 2045 I would like to think that George as you can see, George Brown was not would be very interested in what we only loved in southern California but Mr. Speaker, it was truly an honor to are trying to do in technology advance- also in other States. The gentlewoman have known and served with George. ment for clean air, especially as re- from California (Ms. WOOLSEY) is from His years spent on Earth, his dash, as gards components such as sulfur and Marin County. He was loved in the his son reminded us, is the story and other issues that we are advocating north as well as in the south. legacy of a wonderful person. today in this House. Ms. WOOLSEY. I thank the gen- Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, George championed the establish- tleman for yielding. I yield to the gentleman from Cali- ment of the EPA and the Office of Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to fornia (Mr. LEWIS). Technology Assessment in the early a most wonderful person, our former Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speak- 1970s. He helped advance initiatives for colleague and friend George Brown. I er, I yield to the gentleman from New energy and resource conservation, sus- want to reflect on a comment from a York (Mr. HOUGHTON), a member of the poem that was read at Representative tainable agriculture, national informa- Committee on Science. Brown’s memorial service by his son. tion systems, advanced technology de- Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I For me, the essence of that poem, velopment, and just so much more in thank the gentlemen from California, ‘‘How Do You Live Your Dash,’’ sums the integration of technology in edu- Mr. FARR and Mr. LEWIS, for organizing up why I so respected and admired cation. this tribute to George Brown. He enthusiastically supported both George Brown. George’s ‘‘dash,’’ those Mr. Speaker, I am tempted to speak 79 years between his birth in 1920 and manned and unmanned space explo- for the RECORD, as we all do here, and his passing this summer is the symbol ration. What an advocate on the floor. go over the distinguished points of of a person who witnessed, participated We worked together as Californians for George’s life as he was a Member here in and positively impacted many, many the space program and he was an excel- in terms of his support for NASA and of the most important events of mod- lent advocate for space. His reputation the Space Station before it was even a ern American life. priority with him, what he did in set- on the Committee on Science helped Years before George formally entered ting up the Office of Science and Tech- him bring NASA participation and sup- political life, he was actively engaged nology in the White House, and of a port for schools and businesses in the social and political issues facing whole variety of things; the environ- throughout the Nation and his district. our country. As a student at UCLA, ment, and a series of things like this. On a personal level, we put together George helped create cooperative stu- But I would really like to, and I am a Salton Sea Advisory Committee. dent housing. He worked to break the not sure whether that is appropriate, Five of us originally, myself, the gen- racial color barrier by organizing the but I would really like to speak to tleman from California (Mr. LEWIS), first integrated campus housing in the Marta and the family, because I felt Sonny Bono, George, and the gen- late 1930s. He was a conscientious ob- that George was sort of one of my fam- tleman from California (Mr. HUNTER). I jector during World War II and worked remember one meeting that we had in in a Civilian Conservation Corps camp ily when I was here. Sonny Bono’s office, this was in De- in Oregon. Yet later he decided to join I am a Republican. I did not go to the cember, just before Christmas, we were the military and served as a second Democratic Caucuses. I many times all talking about what we were going lieutenant in the Army. voted differently from George, but I al- to do to save the Salton Sea. This was After the war, returning to Los Ange- ways felt I was on the same wave something that was so passionate to les, he continued his work, organizing length. George. He loved the sea. He was raised city workers and calling for veterans I will mention, what specifically there by the sea, in Imperial County, housing. keyed this to me was our fight for the and wanted to see something done for In 1964, George was elected to the Office of Technology Assessment. We future generations for the sea and for Monterey Park city council. Building both believed in science, George com- the environment around the sea. on his past activism, his political work ing from a more academic and political Shortly thereafter, Sonny was gone, and style was a true reflection of his atmosphere, and I coming from more of and now George. So two out of the five values. Always the gentleman legis- a business atmosphere. But we believed original members of the Salton Sea Ad- lator, as a city councilman, in the that it was important that this body visory Committee are gone. But now State Assembly or as a Member of this have a scientific group that interpreted we have new Members. Mary Bono is body, George was guided by his belief new science as it was coming along, working hard to see the future of the that through persuasion and reason, he new technology that was being applied sea and the rest of us. It is, I think, our could and he would build a better soci- in the workplace, so we could gear our responsibility in George’s memory to ety. legislation more to those things which make sure that we do the right thing As we all know, Mr. Brown cultivated are important for our future, rather and to make sure that the Salton Sea a polite and courtly style of debate, than becoming just a commodity pro- is something that everyone has a pleas- often tinged with humor and with self- ducer, which we would rapidly regret. ant memory of in the future. deprecation. He believed that public So we fought the good fight and we In his memory, we are renaming the service was a noble calling and he dem- lost, but in the losing of it, we forged a Salinity Laboratory on the UCR cam- onstrated in his ensuing 45 plus years tremendous bond of respect. pus the George Brown Salinity Labora- in the political arena that one indi- First of all, about his appreciation of tory. It is just one small example of his vidual can make a difference. science, I am a big believer of this. I

VerDate 29-OCT-99 05:37 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00128 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09NO7.234 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 November 9, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11835 think all of us here feel this way, that there. No matter how full this Chamber be successful, you called me to be the reason our country is what it is is ever was, I knew exactly where to find faithful. And that he was, to what he obviously because of the human en- George Brown, to either ask him how believed in and what was best in hu- deavor and the enterprise, but the abil- he was, what was happening in the manity. He never left anyone behind. ity to take chances and to reach out. committee, what he thought about a I think for that reason, Marta, he Marta, you and your family come vote, or just in general, how everything walks now not only among the stars from the State that is doing it all now. was. You would find him leaning right but among the saints. Thank you for What is happening in Silicon Valley is there. sharing George Brown with us. God the thing that is going to determine I always thought, a penny for your bless you, George. I will always picture the next century, and maybe even be- thoughts, George. What do you think you standing there at that bench, and I yond that. He believed in that. He as you look out at us? Because he was do not think that there is anyone that thought it was endemic, he thought it a very knowing individual. could ever come into the Congress to was important for the very lives we I have the privilege of coming onto take your place. You will always, al- were leading every single day, not just the Committee on Science as a fresh- ways be a Member here and part of our scientists, not just politicians, but man, and before I was sworn in we had delegation. schoolchildren. something in California, and I am try- Mr. FARR of California. I thank the But also, it gave me an opportunity ing to remember, was it the California gentlewoman very much. to know George as a human being. Institute that had put it together, and Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman There are a lot of people we meet it was the day after the elections. from California (Mr. LEWIS). around here that are sort of different. I went to George Brown because he Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speak- er, I yield to the gentlewoman from They have their own ideas. They are all was there at this, where all of the Cali- California (Mrs. BONO), George Brown’s bright, they are all motivated, they are fornians were gathered, and said, I colleague in concern about the Salton all decent, they have high integrity, would like to serve on your committee. And he put that wonderful arm around Sea and many other things. but there is always something special Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the me, he was like a big California bear about the chemistry between people. I gentleman for yielding. always felt I had this with George. with a big heart, and said, I would love Mr. Speaker, inscribed in an office I really do not have a lot more to to have you on my committee, Anna. building in California’s capital Elipse say, other than thank you for letting And that was my welcome. It is not is the quote, ‘‘Give me men to match us share the life of your husband with that easy to get on a committee in the my mountains.’’ My late friend and us. Congress, and what a welcome that colleague, George Brown, was such a Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, was. man. No one knows this better than his I thank the gentleman for those very You could find George Brown. Unlike wife, Marta, his family, friends, and his dear and personal remarks. any other person in this House, if you loyal staff members. I yield to another colleague, the gen- wanted to find him at his office, you Today our thoughts and prayers are tlewoman from California (Ms. ESHOO). could. When you walked in the door, he with George and those who loved him. Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I would was not returning other people’s phone A great man of modest origins, George like to thank my California colleague calls. Do Members know what he was was neither pretentious nor physically and the chairman of the Democratic doing? He was reading the journals, the imposing, but the strength of his con- delegation of the State of California technical journals, the scientific jour- victions and the depth of his intellect for yielding. nals that had been published, that mas- combined with an unwavering belief in I think for the American people that terful intellect applied to the good of the ideals that he held dear made him are tuned in this evening and listening our Nation. a welcome ally and formidable foe. to us after hours, that this is a little In 1961 President John Kennedy chal- Although I do not share his liberal different than what they are exposed to lenged America to put a human being philosophy, I share the commitment he during the day in our very heated de- on the moon before the end of 1969. had to fighting for what he believed bates that sometimes generate more That was a huge challenge. We take for was right. George Brown recalled a heat than cast light. But this is a very granted what happened, and thousands more gentle era of politics and, indeed, worthy program to tune into. This is of individuals throughout our country society. With his rumpled trappings when I think Members of the House listened to this call and took him up on and self-effacing style, always cour- really rise and exhibit the best of what his seriousness, and what that meant teous in debate, George could charm America is about, when we recognize not only for our Nation but what it his opponents while subtly skewering the humanity that is here in this meant for us as a Nation, as a global them with the scientific precision of Chamber. leader. Many worked in their own sig- his arguments. So tonight we not only mourn the nificant way to accomplish that feat. Although he was the physical embod- passing of our colleague, our beautiful One of them was George Brown. iment of the old cigar-smoking pol, he colleague, that beautiful human being, How indebted we are to him as a Na- always talked straight and let the pub- George Brown, but it is an evening for tion for his leadership and his courage. lic know where he stood on the issues. remembering him, as well. So I join Many of us, as I said, take these deci- He never hid his politics within smoke- with not only my California colleagues, sions for granted and these accomplish- filled back rooms, nor did he waiver and the gentleman from California (Mr. ments for granted once they take from his liberal beliefs that defined his LEWIS), who has so ably chaired the Re- place, but it always takes individuals political philosophy. publican delegation from California, a of courage and vision to make them George was also ahead of his time. very dear friend of George Brown’s, but happen. Long before it was politically correct, the rest of our colleagues in remem- I think George Brown always made he was a champion of civil rights. Dec- bering him and what he brought not sure that we were looking toward the ades before the Vietnam War, he was a only to this institution but to the stars. I think that just as we had conscientious objector to wars, al- country that we have all come here to Americans that walked on the moon though he later served his country as a serve. that were launched, that he today is second lieutenant in the Army. All of the States are memorialized walking among the stars and in heav- Before the term ‘‘environmentalist’’ here in our Chamber, and we from Cali- en. He certainly has earned it. We are, became fashionable, he worked in the fornia are so proud of this son of Cali- indeed, a grateful body, and we are Civilian Conservation Corps in Oregon, fornia, and what he did here. grateful to his constituents for sending and, of course, as a scientist he advo- I do not think that there are really him to us. He was a gentle man, he was cated the use of science to improve not any words that do justice to George a refined legislator, he was a proud Cal- only the lives of everyday Americans, Brown, because he was a very full fig- ifornian, he was a compassionate but also to lay the foundation for a ure, not only physically, but he had so human being, and I thought that when better world. many dimensions to him. Every time I God called him, that he could really As the distinguished chairman of the look at this desk, I picture him leaning answer and say, you didn’t call me to House Committee on Science, he never

VerDate 29-OCT-99 06:31 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00129 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09NO7.236 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 H11836 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 9, 1999 allowed partisanship to interfere with b 2100 mensioned person. He was a gracious the integrity of his scientific prin- He is a staunch defender of civil lib- gentleman. At the same time, he was a ciples. Really, that is the greatest les- erties, he is an absolute believer in great scholar. He was also a wise lead- son I learned from this wonderful man. civil rights and, he said, he is the ulti- er. In spite of that, he was self-depre- Regardless of the issue, George be- mate rational man. And I think that cating and self-effacing. A marvelous lieved that you could work together to really does describe George. person in so many different ways. find common ground, that rancor and He did yeoman’s service here as a Mr. Speaker, what particularly political attacks had no place in a civ- Member of the Committee on Agri- struck me was that in a very partisan ilized institution. He may have dis- culture and as chairman of the Com- institution, he was willing to ignore agreed with your politics, but he would mittee on Science. But I think his partisanship to help a new Member to never treat you as less of a person be- greatest service to the House was sim- discuss the history of specific issues cause of your political differences. ply his uncompromising political in- and also acquaint me with the history I had the privilege and pleasure of tegrity and his uncompromising dis- of previous actions of the Congress. working closely with George on an dain for hypocrisy, which we often find He was also very willing and freely issue that was close to both of our a lot of in this town. gave of his advice to me as a newcomer hearts, saving California’s Salton Sea. I often kidded George. I told him that and I found his advice very helpful. He George probably knew more about the he reminded me of that wonderful char- was a great person in so many ways problems facing the sea and the rel- acter on British television, ‘‘Rumpold and so many senses of that phrase. We evant science than any other Member of the Bailey,’’ the British barrister rarely meet great people throughout of Congress. As a scientist, he probably who constantly defended unpopular our lives, but when we do we imme- knew more than many of the experts causes, much to the chagrin of his law diately know that we are in the pres- who are currently working to find a so- firm and his wife. And I told George ence of greatness and we also appre- lution to this looming environmental that I thought not only did he have a ciate it. That is the way it was with crisis. slight resemblance to Leo McKern, the George Brown. He was born and raised near the sea, actor who played the part, but that As I said, he was a great man. I knew and spent years studying its decline. also his style was the same, because he it when I first met him. I appreciated it He was passionate in his belief that he really did stand up for causes and peo- even more as I continued to work with could restore it. That is what I will al- ple who had very few defenders, and him on science issues and we had a ways remember about George Brown, that is what this institution often great kinship on that score. his quiet certitude that our democratic needs. I certainly appreciated him, the work system can be made to work if we are Mr. Speaker, I think this place will he did, and particularly his friendship only willing to work together. George miss him greatly. He was a superb pub- with me and his attitude towards the proved time and time again that you lic servant. He served California well. Congress and towards advancement of could find common ground to advance He served the country well, and I am science. We will all miss him greatly, a common good. I will try to honor his grateful that after he ran for the Sen- and I will especially miss him. I just memory by following his example. ate, he returned to this body and wanted to take this opportunity to ex- I want to say also to his widow, graced us with his many years of serv- press my condolences to the members Marta, I remember sharing many, ice, teaching us every day that public of the family and to thank them for many a plane ride with George and interest comes before private interest. their willingness to share George with Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, Marta Brown between the Capitol here us. I now yield to the gentleman from Cali- and Southern California. Every time Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, fornia (Mr. LEWIS). I thank the gentleman from Michigan we flew together George and Marta had Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speak- (Mr. EHLERS) very much, and I appre- a wonderful embrace for me after I lost er, I yield to the gentleman from my husband, Sonny. ciate the remarks and I know the fam- Michigan (Mr. EHLERS), a member of ily does as well. I have spoken with Marta on a couple the Committee on Science. of occasions about her beliefs and her Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Speaker, the great State of Texas dedication to public service and her the gentleman from California (Mr. may be a big State, but it is not as big as the heart of George Brown. To speak dedication to also restoring the Salton LEWIS) for yielding me this time. It is Sea. I just want to wish Marta Brown a pleasure to speak here about George for that State is the gentleman from the greatest of strength and God speed Brown, even though it is also tinged Texas (Mr. LAMPSON). in the years ahead. with a good deal of sadness. Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, unlike Mr. FARR of California. I thank the I knew about George Brown a long so many of our colleagues who have gentlewoman from California (Mrs. time before I met him. In fact, my first spoken, I did not know George Brown BONO) for those beautiful remarks. Mr. acquaintance with him dates back to before I came to Congress. And when I Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the mid-1970s when, as a nuclear physi- learned that I would have the oppor- Wisconsin (Mr. OBEY), a person on cist and a county commissioner, I was tunity to work alongside the late whose shoulders the last few days of appointed by the American Physical George Brown, who served for 32 years this session are dependent, the ranking Society to the committee to select on the Committee on Science, 321⁄2 member of the Committee on Appro- science fellows for Members of Con- years of his 18 terms, I was quite priations, the former chair, a good gress. One of those we selected ended pleased and thrilled, having been a friend of George Brown. up working for Mr. Brown. I got to high school science teacher for the Mr. OBEY. I thank the gentleman for know him quite well and talked to him time during the 1960s and watching and yielding, Mr. Speaker. regularly and he has described Con- knowing of what his work consisted. I remember the first time I ever met gressman Brown in very glowing terms. While Congressman Brown served as George Brown. I came in that door on And after that, for some 20 years, I chairman of the Committee on Science the side of the Chamber. I was elected watched the progress of Mr. Brown and during from 1991 to 1994 and ranking on April Fools Day of 1969. George the wisdom of his work through the member from 1995 to 1999, he worked came up to me right after Easter when science media. diligently to create the institutional we got back, he came up to me, and I It was a pleasure when I first arrived framework necessary to bring science had not met him before. He said, my in the Congress in early 1994 to make and technology into the Federal Gov- friend, Bob Kastenmeier, tells me you his personal acquaintance and to serve ernment. And from the mid-1960s on, he are to be trusted. And I did not know on the Committee on Science at the led an effort to restructure and what that meant, I did not know who time, he was chairman. Also, I worked strengthen the National Science Foun- he was. But that was his way of intro- with him after the time when he be- dation, moving the agency into much ducing himself to me. came the ranking member and the Re- more active roles in engineering, I asked Bob Kastenmeier the next publicans were chairing that com- science education, and the develop- time I saw Bob, I said, tell me about mittee. ment of advanced technologies. this George Brown fellow. Well, he He was a striking person in many I guess I came to Congress expecting said, he is a gutsy antiwar hero. ways, and I found him to be a many-di- more camaraderie and less partisanship

VerDate 29-OCT-99 06:36 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00130 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09NO7.238 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 November 9, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11837 than what I have seen so far, but for help people. That was his basic philos- Finally, let me just say that George me it was George Brown who I will re- ophy. Government should help people. Brown, even though we ran candidates member as the statesman and the con- It was as simple as that, because against him, never held a grudge. I re- sensus builder on the Committee on George Brown loved people. member him telling me right down Science. And in addition to that, he de- Mr. Speaker, I am a conservative. I there standing with me, ‘‘Well, you fel- veloped legislation that created what have a little bit more suspicion about lows always run somebody against me. later became the President’s Office of government, and that is my philos- And even though Dave Dreier likes me Science and Technology Policy and ophy. George respected that. There was a lot, I know that we are friends, but pushed for the development of the En- no situation where he thought he was don’t worry. We are going to work all vironmental Protection Agency and above me because he wanted to help of these things out and we have all of the Office of Technology Assessment. people through government and I am these things we have accomplish to- Throughout his impeccable congres- suspicious of government. No, he was gether.’’ And sure enough, he never sional career, George Brown pushed the an honest Democrat as well. He be- held a grudge and we worked so well envelope not only for NASA and the lieved in democracy and believed in together. human space exploration program, but this system. Mr. Speaker, he is going to be Again, he treated differences, as we also, as we have already heard, for civil missed. I am going to miss him. Every- have heard today, with a great sense of rights, the environment, even family body else here is going to miss him. He humor. With his sense of humor he farmers throughout the Nation. loved us. He loved his constituents. He made this a really nice place and a While I was only able to spend 21⁄2 loved his country. He had a good heart good decent place to work and added a years getting to know George, the sto- and we loved him. I loved George great deal to the cooperation we have ries that I have heard continue to Brown very much and I am going to make me smile and will keep him in had in this body. Let me just say that being someone miss him very much. My heart goes out my memory for an awful long time. of a different philosophy, we ran people to Marta and just condolences to the Chairman George Brown cannot be re- against George Brown. Here we are whole family. And I guess I cannot say placed and he will be sorely missed by commemorating George Brown. Let us much more except all of the great everyone who knew him. Thank you remember those of us on this side of things that he did in the Committee on and God bless the family. the body ran good candidates against Science, they are going to go on help- Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, George Brown every time. Marta will ing America for a long, long time. A lot I now yield to the gentleman from Cali- certainly, I know, confirm that he had of people are going to benefit from fornia (Mr. LEWIS). some tough races out there. But guess those things. They are not going to re- Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speak- what? George Brown won every single member George’s name, because in 50 er, I yield in turn to our colleague from race. Every time we put somebody up years none of our names are going to California (Mr. ROHRABACHER) who against him, his constituents returned be remembered. But he has done a lot served several years with George him because as we found out, George of good for this country and certainly Brown on the Committee on Science. Brown was much beloved by his con- those of us who served with him will Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I stituents, Republicans and Democrats never forget George Brown. have to say, everybody has got a alike. We had trouble getting the Re- Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, hushed tone tonight remembering publicans not to vote for George I thank the gentleman from California George. I do not remember him in Brown, they loved him so much. (Mr. ROHRABACHER). hushed tones. This guy was a fellow. He The reason they loved him out there Mr. Speaker, I would like to now call just had so much life about him and is because he loved them. There was a on the gentlewoman from California there was so much goodness about great deal of goodness and love in (Mrs. CAPPS). She and the other gentle- George Brown and he was right out George Brown’s heart. He was a man of woman from California (Mrs. BONO) front on everything. integrity and that could be seen for share something in common with He was certainly my chairman, he sure early on in his life. We could see it Marta Brown. They have all lost their was my colleague, and he was a friend. here. But if one studies George Brown’s husbands while serving in Congress. He was chairman of the Committee on history early on in his life, he took a Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, with a sad Science, and I was on the committee. I stand against the war in Vietnam. He heart and also a smile of remembrance, am still on that committee. I am now was one of the first ones to recognize I rise to pay tribute to our beloved col- the chairman of the Subcommittee on what a great threat that was to the league, George Brown. I am very proud Space and Aeronautics, and every time body. He did not wait for it to become and honored to join my friends on the he would come over once he lost that trendy. He did not wait for it to be- floor this evening to honor George’s spot, we would always be happy be- come some issue where it was going to memory and to celebrate his life. cause he was a treasure house of infor- do him some good. George Brown was Let me first express my condolences mation. He was an institutional treas- out fighting the war in Vietnam long to Marta, who joins us in the Chamber ure to our committee and we have al- before some of us realized. tonight, and to everyone else in ready felt his loss. Some of us on the conservative end of George’s large and wonderful family. Let me note this: that as chairman of the spectrum say to ourselves perhaps Mr. Speaker, I would say to her, the Committee on Science, when he that war went on too long before we re- ‘‘Marta, I have been in your shoes. It is was chairman of the Committee on alized where it was going and where it not easy. But your spirit and your Science, he exercised his authority as was taking America. Perhaps George strength in this difficult time have in- fairly as anyone who has ever served in Brown, who had the goodness and in- spired all of us.’’ this body. So although we had some tent of trying to help his country, I also want to send a special word of disagreements, he always, always was maybe he had some realizations in his condolence to George’s staff. I know fair. I do not even remember one inci- heart. Plus, he was a champion of civil from my own experience, and that of dent where I was angry at him because rights early on. my staff who were Walter’s staff, that he did not give a Member the right And, Mr. Speaker, I will say this as a they are doubly burdened. For 3 amount of time or tried to cut off de- conservative. Some of us who are sus- months they have been grieving for bate or short-circuit someone else. picious of government have to look at their leader, while at the same time Now, we disagreed about things, but people like George Brown and his early working hard to continue to serve the he was always right up front. In fact, struggles in the civil rights movement people of the 42nd District in Cali- one of the great things we know about and we have to feel a little bit embar- fornia, and my heart is with them. George is that he never apologized rassed that it was an unabashed liberal b about being a liberal. This man was un- who was taking care of protecting peo- 2115 abashedly, no, he was bashed around ple’s human and civil rights in this Mr. Speaker, this House has many for being a liberal I am sure, but he country. Some of us should have national leaders. This House has many was unapologetic about being someone learned a lot from George Brown in warm and decent people. George Brown who believed that government should that regard. was both. He was first elected during

VerDate 29-OCT-99 06:30 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00131 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09NO7.240 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 H11838 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 9, 1999 the Kennedy administration when bye to George Brown, which is heart- George was an inspiration. I know the con- Americans heard our young President felt, nonetheless very sad. stituents of his San Bernardino district remem- promise that we would put a man on Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness ber him with great fondness and respect. He the moon. that we mark the passing of our dear was a distinguished and dedicated public serv- Throughout his illustrious career, friend. But this is a very special special ant who served in this House with great dig- few Members in this body contributed order because it brings some closure. I nity for 35 years. In my opinion, George as much to our successful space pro- do not think a day goes by that most of should be remembered, above all, as a man gram as did George Brown. With his us do not come to this floor to vote of high principle. He was first elected in 1962 leadership on the Committee on when we expect to see George sitting in and frequently spoke out against excessive Science, George kept our space policy his regular seat. military spending and America's involvement on track. He knew that unlocking the As we are accustomed to saying here in the Vietnam War. He maintained his prin- secrets of the heaven’s would benefit in the House, I wish to associate myself ciples and, during the tumult and shouting of our quality of life here on earth. with the remarks of my colleagues who the 1960s, routinely voted against military As a fellow Californian who once have spoken before, because I think spending for a war that was, in his careful and served on his committee, I was awed by they have spoken very, very elo- considered analysis, an unjust intervention. and so grateful for George’s visionary quently, and it is a compliment to be Since his days as a student of nuclear engi- work on the space program. He made associated with their remarks because neering and, later, as a working physicist, such a mark on science education this man was very special. But I think George took a strong and focused interest in which will be felt for generations to that our colleagues have captured him. modern technology, the advancement of the come in every elementary science class As I associate myself with the re- sciences, and, of course, space exploration. and secondary science class throughout marks of my colleagues, I will just say As Chairman and ranking Democrat of the this country. a few personal remarks. George was an House Science Committee, he helped shape He made such a mark on the space inspiration. We all know that. He was a and define the evolution of the National exploration of this country which I leader, as has been acknowledged. He Science Foundation, NASA's International think of each time I watch a launch at was an intellectual, and we all benefit Space Station, and other significant endeavors Vandenberg Air Force base in my dis- from that. He was also a politician, a that engaged the best minds in American trict. Each time, I think of George political leader. In California, he is a science and technology. Brown. That legacy will continue as legend and has been, really, for a very George was genuinely interested in, and cu- long as there is space exploration in long time. rious about, all of the complex issues and de- this country and even in this world. When he, representing the district bates that have swirled around the develop- But, Mr. Speaker, as effective a that he did, took the stands that he ment of modern science and technology. His Member as George was, he was an even did, it was with great courage. It would palpable excitement belied his position as the better person. I will never forget the be easy for someone from my district oldest Member of the House in the 106th Con- kindness and generosity that George to speak out against the Vietnam War gress. For many years, he served ably as extended to Walter and me when we and to vote against the military spend- Dean of the California Congressional delega- first came to Washington in 1997. I will ing at the time. It was not easy for tion, and George leaves us with the distinction surely never forget George’s warmth George Brown. But he did it anyway. of representing California longer than any and comfort when Walter passed away. We all benefited from the fact that he other member of Congress. His influence and After George died, many of us flew was a student of nuclear engineering. legacy will continue to define the work of this together to his memorial service in his When I say ‘‘we all’’, I mean every per- body. district. Democrats, Republicans, son in this country, because we had the We will miss George, his principled ways, Members from around the Nation, sen- benefit of his thinking. We continue to his sense of humor, his civility, and his deep ior and junior Members alike, we spent have the benefit of his thinking be- commitment to public service. many hours reminiscing about George. cause of the legacy that he has left. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy We remembered his legislative vic- Not a day, again, goes by when we do to his widow, Marta Macias Brown, to the tories. We again admired his dedication not miss him, do not think we are Brown family, his constituents, and his friends to the people of his district. We going to see him in the Chamber, but and colleagues, all of whose lives he touched, laughed about his sense of humor. We we do have the benefit of the ideas that enriched, and changed. recalled his warmth and decency. he has put forth and the leadership Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, Being in his district for this memo- that he has provided and the way he I thank the gentlewoman from Cali- rial service gave me such a sense of the has translated all of the ideas that he fornia (Ms. PELOSI) very much for high esteem with which he was held has in his knowledge of science and en- those beautiful words. and is held by the people he rep- gineering into public policy, into a bet- Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman resented for so many years. This group ter future for our country. from California (Mr. LEWIS) for a mo- that came together to memorialize him He was genuinely interested and curi- ment. was such a diverse group that he held ous about all complex issues and the Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speak- together throughout the decades that debates that swirled around the devel- er, I am proud to yield to the gen- he served the 42nd District. This is a opment of modern science and tech- tleman from Long Beach, California legacy also which is a model for our nology. So he was a very fascinating (Mr. HORN). country and for the leaders in this man. Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the House. I want to say that we will miss his gentleman from California (Mr. LEWIS) All of us in Congress join with sense of humor, his civility, his deep and the gentleman from California (Mr. George’s family and staff and his con- commitment to public service. I, and FARR) for this very moving ceremony. stituents to mourn his passing. We will the constituents of my district join me, So many people have said so many all miss him. But we are also thankful extend our deepest sympathy to Marta, wonderful things. They are all true. to God for the precious time we had to the Brown family, to his constitu- I first met George Brown in January with him. We ask God’s continued ents, to his staff, to his friends, all of of 1963 when he came here as a new, blessing upon his family, his precious whose lives he touched, enriched, and fresh, young congressman. I was then family, his district, and the legacy changed for the better. the legislative assistant to Senator which he leaves to us all. With that and with great love, Thomas H. Kuchel, the senior Senator Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, George Brown, we will miss you every and Republican whip from California. I yield to the distinguished gentle- single day we serve here, and we will He called me and said, ‘‘Steve, I hear a woman from San Francisco, California always be grateful for the memory you lot of good things about this fine young (Ms. PELOSI). have provided for us. man. Go over and give him my best.’’ Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that And I did. George Brown was, from the the gentleman from California (Mr. we mark the passing of a dear friend and a very beginning, noted by people in the FARR) for calling this special order. It long-time Member of this Chamber, George E. House as well as some in the Senate gives us an opportunity to say a good- Brown, Jr. that he was a very decent person.

VerDate 29-OCT-99 06:30 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00132 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09NO7.242 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 November 9, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11839 When I came back here 30 years later George E. Brown, Jr. George was a man of Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, as we renewed our acquaintanceship. I many accomplishments, who led by work and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus used to kid George ‘‘One of these days, example. He was the leader of the California and former Chair of the California Democratic George, the Legislature is going to re- delegation and led our state on many issues Congressional Delegation, I want to express district you into some suburb of Las of importance. George came to the U.S. Con- my deepest sympathies for the passing of my Vegas’’. That was because he had kept gress after an illustrious career in California colleague, friend, and mentor, George Brown. moving east from his first election in where he had served as a city councilman and It has been a true honor to serve with Los Angeles County. When George mayor of Monterey Park. Subsequently, he George in the House of Representatives. I came to the House, he served on the was elected to the California State Assembly have had the privilege of knowing George for Committee on Agriculture. In those where he authored legislation providing public years, since he served with my father, Con- days, Los Angeles County was the No. employees the right to bargain collectively and gressman Edward R. Roybal, for over two 1 Agricultural County in the Nation in foreshadowing his many environmental efforts decades. the value of its crops. in the House; he also introduced the first ban George was the oldest current House mem- Over 18 terms in the House, George of lead in gasoline in the nation. ber and the longest serving member of the moved from Monterey Park, then Col- George was elected to the U.S. Congress in House or Senate in the history of the state of ton, then Riverside, then Colton, then 1962. He was in the forefront of fighting for California, as well as the top Democratic Riverside, then San Bernardino, then passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Member on the House Science Committee Riverside, then San Bernardino again. many of us remember that picture of him with and a senior member of the House Agriculture No other Member of the House has had President Johnson, Martin, Robert Kennedy Committee. that many different residences moving and Rosa Parks hanging in his office. He pro- George served as Chairman of the House in one direction as George was able to tested the Vietnam war when it was not pop- Science Committee during the 102nd and do. ular to do so. To give leadership to the anti- 103rd Congresses and was probably best As the gentleman from California Vietnam war movement and the Civil Rights known in Congress for his work on the (Mr. ROHRABACHER) said, the Repub- movement, George made a brave but unsuc- science and technology issues under his com- licans always sought to defeat him, but cessful run for the Senate in 1970. As a result mittee's jurisdiction. As an energetic proponent they never could because he loved his of the census reapportionment, a new House of the environment, Brown championed the constituency, and they loved him. seat was created and in 1972, George re- establishment of the Environmental Protection Then in 1993, George was in a key turned to his beloved Congress to serve the Agency and the Office of Technology Assess- role to help pull the California delega- people in communities where he was raised, ment in the early 1970s. tion together. His ally in this was Car- the Inland Empire. George was a person of integrity, intel- los Morehead on the Republican side. In the 1960's and again in the 80's George ligence, and respect, who never failed to stand In 1993, when Jane Harman and I came guided the National Science Foundation into a up for what he believed. George worked to here as two freshmen, we were des- more progressive position, refocusing it on en- bring down the color barrier at the University ignated to work with George and Car- gineering, science education, and the develop- of California, Los Angeles by organizing the los on the executive committee of the ment of advanced technologies. George first integrated campus housing in the late Democratic and Republican delega- Brown became Chairman of the House 1930's. In the 1940's he helped organize Los Science Committee in 1991. While Chair, he tions. Our aim was to work for eco- Angeles city workers. Later, in Congress, was an innovator in both Science and Tech- nomic development in southern Cali- Brown fought for passage of the landmark nology, always looking to the future and to our fornia. 1964 Civil Rights Act. He was one of the first nation's progress as the path to follow. He From March 1988, 400,000 people had outspoken critics of the Vietnam War and brought creativity and innovation to the House been let go in the aerospace industry. stood his ground by voting against every de- Science Committee and he was instrumental We had a major crisis as a result of the fense spending bill during the Vietnam era. in creating what we now think of as the frame- end of the Cold War and the economic George was also friend and role model to work for science and technology in the federal recession. Carlos and George pulled the me and countless other members of Congress government. delegation together. The delegation Ahead of the mainstream, he shaped our and staff. George paved the way for me to be- had not met for 8 years and it was a nation's science for good by bringing its over- come the first woman to chair the California disgrace. The two Senators would come sight into the Executive Office and establishing Democratic Congressional Delegation. Not over at all our meetings. Ron Packard, the Office of Science and Technology Policy. confined to the dictates of seniority or pro- Carlos, and George led the delegation By doing so, he made science and technology tocol, George encouraged me to run for the to work together. truly a national priority which provided the im- chairmanship, recognizing the value of inclu- George always had a great sense of petus to the research initiatives so important sion and promoting new leadership. humor. When I saw him on the floor, I to the great research and technology enter- George was an outstanding legislator, indi- once asked him what he thought of prises in our country and especially in Cali- vidual, and friend and he will be dearly some of the Democratic Presidential fornia. missed. candidates in the 1960s. George’s sense I was fortunate to have developed a friend- Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, George of humor was terrific, which I cannot ship with George when we worked closely to- Brown, Jr., who passed away last summer, repeat here, but it gets down to a one gether on California base conversions, an was not only a colleague but a personal word description for each one, and it issue of the utmost importance to my district, friend. I had the privilege of working with was not the same word for each one. He the 9th Congressional District of California. George for many years, here in the House of had suitably captured the personality, George was a tenacious fighter for the public Representatives and in the City of Monterey values, and interests that seemed to be good; many of us could learn from his great Park. During this time, I grew to respect him encompassed in that word. I would example. Even when the Democrats lost their as a man of great integrity, commitment, and smile through the rest of the day. majority in 1994, George remained influential. kindness. We have heard every Member prac- Earlier, I mentioned George's leadership in I first met George in the mid-1950s when he tically talk about his decency and his the California Assembly on environmental pro- was the head of the Democratic Club and a scholarship. That was true. He was a tections issues. In the House, he also recog- City Councilman in Monterey Park. At that real human being. He is the kind of nized the importance of protecting the ozone time, I did not know that I would someday person we do not forget, and he is the layer and other elements of environmental have the opportunity to represent many of the kind of person we ought to have in the health as well as championing the creation of same people. Because of his tremendous House of Representatives, one who the Environmental Protection Agency and the knowledge and enthusiasm for public service, stands up for his principles yet can Office of Technology Assessment. he developed a bond with the residents of work with everybody else who might His courtly style and hard work made him a Monterey Park that lasts to this day. George have different principles. favorite in his district; he respected all points was a leader who inspired people to commu- Nini and I extend condolences to the of view and all parties respected him in turn, nity service. He had the ability to fill meeting family. We worked with a great legend. making him a formidable advocate and effec- halls to capacity. His unwavering commitment We all respected him. tive negotiator on the side of the liberal and to public service earned him the respect and Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the moderate. I will truly miss my friend George loyalty of the people of his district and the sur- memory of my good friend and colleague, Brown. rounding communities.

VerDate 29-OCT-99 06:30 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00133 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K09NO7.244 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 H11840 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 9, 1999 Many may remember when George was ar- Brown. We will surely miss his presence and from Chairman Brown. In my ten Congresses, rested on the steps of the Capitol for joining his civility here in the People's House. While I have not seen a Chairman who was more with a group of Quakers in a protest against he is no longer with us, his commitment to his fair to his Committee Members than George the war in Vietnam. I have often thought about constituents and to his nation will ensure that Brown was. this as an example of his commitment to his he is remembered for generations to come. George leaves a large and important legacy beliefs. Even on points where there was dis- Farewell my friend. in this institution and particularly in the agreement, George's integrity was never in Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, like the Science Committee. I am honored both to be question. He was firm in his convictions and other Members who have spoken here before part of these remembrances this evening and willing to stand up for his beliefs. me, I have a special affection for our dearest to have a small role in trying to continue that I have no doubt that George Brown will be friend George Brown. But unlike these other legacy. remembered as one of California's greatest Members, I also have a special privilegeÐthe Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I only served statesmen. His presence in this Chamber is privilege of attempting to carry on Congress- with George for a few years from January missed. man Brown's work as Ranking Democrat on 1995 until his passing just a short time ago. Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to the Science Committee. But while I served with George just these few take this opportunity to pay tribute to both a This is no easy task. More than anyone I years, I will never forget this man whose influ- colleague and friend, George Brown. could ever imagine, George Brown was born ence on our country and its future is so pro- I had the privilege of serving on the Science to be the Chairman of the Science, Space, found. Committee during George's tenure as Chair- and Technology Committee. In truth, I first became aware of George man, and valued the opportunity to learn from Two fires burned within George. On the one Brown while working for my predecessor in of- his leadership. George and I worked together hand, he devoted his mediations and tailored fice, Congressman Don Edwards. At the time on many occasions in support of interests im- his actions toward achieving justice and equal- the nation faced the challenge of war in portant to our native southern California. ity for all those in our society. In his 35th year Southeast Asia. Early on, American opinion George may forever be remembered for his in Congress, he continued to take the time to was not divided as it would later be. There ability to bring together all Californians serving read the works of the ancientsÐGreek, were few who were willing to question. Don in Congress. Roman, Eastern and Middle EasternÐas well Edwards was one of them. So was George George believed in the power of persuasion as the works of modern philosophers. He, like Brown. Whatever your view of America's role to settle differences. He was polite and cour- them, was obsessed with the concept of social in that conflict, the courage to do one's job as teous in his treatment of everyone on both justice and how its pursuit would contribute to a legislatorÐto ask the tough questions and to sides of the aisle. George prided himself on an ideal society. stand for what one believed in does command working hard for his district. He was dedicated But even more so, George loved science, respect. George Brown was always a person to the people of southern California and he will space, and technology. George came from who would stand up for what he believed in. be greatly missed. humble beginnings in HoltvilleÐin the heart of When I was elected to the 104th Congress, In George Brown, this institution has lost a the hot and arid farmlands of the Imperial Val- I asked to be assigned to the Science Com- distinguished Member of Congress, a faithful ley. From the beginning George was an ex- mittee where George Brown was serving as public servant, and a good man. George will traordinary student. He graduated from high ranking Member. At the time all of the former be greatly missed, not only as a tireless advo- school at the age of sixteen and, in the year Chairmen of Committees were adjusting to cate for the people of California's 42nd Con- or two between high school and UCLA, read new roles in the minority. Some former Chair- gressional District, but as a close friend to nearly every book in the Holtville library. men, quite frankly, had a hard time coping those so fortunate to have known him. Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Science moved him even then. He studied the with this new role. George Brown rose to the stars, read technical journals, and devoured thank Representatives LEWIS and FARR for re- occasion. Who wouldn't rather be in charge? serving this time to allow Members an oppor- science fiction. One can imagine, perhaps as But he understood the important role he could tunity to pay tribute and to honor the memory H.G. Wells ``War of the Worlds'' played on the play by using his knowledge as a resource for of our dear friend, the gentleman from Cali- radio, a seventeen-year-old scholar with the the whole CongressÐboth Democrats and Re- fornia, George Brown. I am moved by their re- body of a linebacker, looking up at the crystal- publicans. I came to understand that if George serving this special order. In a genuine ex- clear desert starlight and imagining the won- Brown gave advice on Science Policy it was a pression of bipartisanship, their efforts serve ders of human and robotic space exploration. good bet that it was exactly what our country to highlight one of George Browns' greatest George would speak about two Members of should do. And while the 104th Congress defi- strengths. Throughout his long and distin- Congress who taught him valuable lessons nitely had its rocky moments, as the months guished career, George Brown worked dili- about the institution. In his freshman term, wore on it became clear that George Brown gently to build bonds with other Members from George served on the Education Committee. was commanding respect on both sides of the across the aisle. More often than not, he suc- The Chairman, Adam Clayton Powell, quickly aisle. ceeded in these efforts. His constituents were learned of George's interest in post-secondary I doubt that all of the scientists in America wise to re-elect him to 18 terms of service in education and training and gave the freshman understand how much is owed to George for this House. George represented the 42nd Dis- Member from California the lead on re-author- his vision and understanding about science. trict of California with distinction and honor. ization of many of those programs. It was a Can all the American citizens fully appreciate Serving the needs of his constituents, and lesson George never forgot and one he often how much poorer would be our economy and making certain that their interests were pro- repeated with young, inexperienced Members our quality of lifeÐhow much more limited our tected were the basis of his long, distin- of the Science Committee from both sides of futureÐwithout the years of advocacy for guished commitment to public service. the aisle. There are many current and former sound science policies that George led? But Throughout my tenure in the House as well Members of the Science Committee who can George did his work not for the glory, but for as my service on the Rules CommitteeÐas point to significant legislative accomplishments the satisfaction that he was making a dif- Chairman and Ranking Member, I had the op- that they are able to claim because of Chair- ference. He was never afraid to do what was portunity to work with George on a number of man Brown's modesty and support. right and he was smart enough to figure out, issues. His interest and leadership on issues He also talked frequently about my fellow in the complex field of science, what was the as science and technology was strong. He Texan Olin ``Tiger'' Teague, who chaired the correct course. had a wonderful ability to explain new tech- Science Committee in the 1970s. There were George was widely rumored over the years nologies in ways that even those of us less no two Members of the Democratic Caucus to be contemplating retirement. When I first aware of these technologies could understand further apart politically than George and Tiger. heard that rumor, I wrote him an impassioned their potential impacts. He was especially But each had a deep respect for the other's multi-page letter asking him to stay and letting proud of his work to ensure that our schools fairness and honesty. Tiger developed the him know how much his leadership on science would benefit from new advances in the area habit, when confronted with a thorny political would not only be missed in this House, but in of educational technology. George Brown un- problem on the Committee, of calling George the world. He listened to those of us who derstood the importance of public education, into his office and asking for George's advice begged him to stay and we were grateful. he worked tirelessly to make certain that our on how to solve the problem most justly. Shortly before George left us, he told the young people would have access to the excit- George himself adopted this practice. Any Democratic Members of the California Delega- ing worlds of science and technology. MemberÐconservative or liberal, Republican tion that we could count on him: He would run In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am thankful that or DemocratÐwho was sincere and had done for reelection and would do his best to win. we have had this opportunity to honor George his or her homework would get a fair hearing While he didn't get that chance, I will always

VerDate 29-OCT-99 05:37 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00134 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A09NO7.154 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 November 9, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11841 remember that he was willing to go full meas- order of the House, the gentleman from thing that could happen is I could lose ure for America. Whether as a soldier in World California (Mr. DREIER) is recognized the election.’’ Meaning that he had a War II or a soldier in the effort to support for 5 minutes. very healthy perspective on this place, science, he served his country with valor, with Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I would what representative government was intelligence and with distinction. I am grateful like to join with my colleagues in ex- all about, and what public service was to him for his many kindnesses to me, his wit tending this time of special orders in about. and his wisdom, for the example he made for honor of our great friend, George b 2130 younger Members of his House about integrity Brown. I have not had the opportunity I will tell my colleagues that it is and commitment as well as for his love and to hear any of the statements other still, to this day, with a great deal of dedication to his family. than the very eloquent one by the gen- sadness that I think about the fact I miss George a great deal. Despite all of tleman from Long Beach, California that we are no longer going to be see- the talented people working on Science Issues (Mr. HORN). ing him in this chamber. in this House, none of us can claim the experi- I will say scholarship and decency, which is what the gentleman from Cali- So I would like to say that I will ence, expertise and wise leadership that miss him greatly, and my condolences fornia (Mr. HORN) just raised, obviously George gave the country in this arena. We will go, as I know my colleagues have ex- are two words that come to mind. try to fill in the gaps his parting left. I, for one, tended them, to his tremendously huge George Brown was also one of the feel grateful to have known him to have and wonderful family, the members we kindest and warmest human beings I served with him. I feel lucky that I had the got to meet when we went to the serv- change to tell him how much I admired him have ever known. He regularly was on this side and ice for George out in California and while he was still living. I miss him and join saw a number of them back here. stood there and would make inter- with my colleague tonight in honoring his life f and his contributions. esting observations about the institu- Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, tion because, as we all know, he served TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEORGE E. America lost its foremost science advocate, a longer than any other Californian here BROWN, JR. statesman, and a tremendous human being in the Congress. We were very pleased The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. when my colleague and friend, George Brown, that he set that record, even though WALDEN of Oregon). Under a previous passed away. As a Member and later Chair- many of us, the gentleman from Cali- order of the House, the gentleman from man and Ranking Member of the Science fornia (Mr. LEWIS) and I for a decade New Jersey (Mr. HOLT) is recognized Committee, George was a forceful and tireless and a half tried to cut that short. In for 5 minutes. advocate for science. Whether it was pro- many ways, I am glad that we were not Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, what a wise tecting a science account from attack or push- able to cut that short because he did so man, what a good man George Brown ing the newest area of research, George was much for our State and the country. was. We have heard tonight of his ef- a true friend to the science community. I feel I suspect that, during the hour, peo- forts to create or strengthen various both sadness and inspiration when I look up to ple talked about his involvement in the scientific institutions, the National see George's likeness watching over the pro- space program. I will tell my col- Science Foundation, the White House ceedings in the Science Committee's hearing leagues that, representing Pasadena, Science Advisers, OSTP, the EPA, the room. Sadness at our loss but inspired to con- California, the home of the jet propul- Office of Technology Assessment, tinue building upon the successes George sion laboratory, along with the gen- NASA. He advanced international sci- made possible. I am hopeful that his portrait tleman from California (Mr. ROGAN) is entific cooperation, energy conserva- will serve as a constant reminder of George's a very important thing. George Brown tion, alternative sources of energy, sus- commitment to our nation's science programs, regularly provided the kind of inspira- tainable agriculture, peaceful uses of his leadership, his friendship, his humor, and tion that was needed by our constitu- space. He advanced the cause of peace his compassion throughout his many years of ents at the jet propulsion lab. around the world. service. He often was the beneficiary, and I I have long respected George Brown George's integrity and the strength of his know that his widow Marta is fol- for these contributions as a scientist word were never in doubt. He could be a lowing this so I should not raise it, but and as a Member of Congress before I forceful advocate when needed and a bipar- she may not have known he occasion- got to know him. When I was a AAAS tisan friend when deserved. Perhaps what was ally smoked a cigar. He would often fellow in Congress in the early 1980s, most remarkable about George was that even take cigars from all of us here. I was George Brown served as a positive ex- after sitting through hundreds and hundreds of pleased whenever I could to pass one to ample to us fellows of how government presentations by researchers around the na- him, even though I know Marta was policy could be used in the support and tion, George never lost a genuine delight in never pleased with the fact that we did advancement of science. His personal hearing of new science breakthroughs that pass our cigars to George. I know it did enthusiasm and passion for science and would revolutionize tomorrow's world. When provide him with a great deal of pleas- for the people associated with the tomorrow's scientists find their next break- ure. fields of science has left perhaps the through discovery, I know in my heart that I also want to say, as the gentleman most lasting impression of George George will delight in their achievement. from California (Mr. HORN) did, that, in Brown around the country. Although George served for eighteen terms the California delegation, he spent a And, Mr. Speaker, I will provide for in the House, a remarkable achievement in great deal of time working to bring our the RECORD some of the remarks of itself, I don't think he ever enjoyed looking delegation together. He had a very other AAAS fellows who have shared back as much as he cherished looking ahead. healthy view of his role in public serv- with me their memories of George Earlier this year, George remarked, ``I've ice. I know there are many people who Brown. thought that science could be the basis for a were always wringing their hands George Brown understood the big pic- better world, and that's what I've been trying about this place at the prospect of ture of how science could benefit the to do all these years.'' Certainly George made maybe losing the next election. world and how to construct govern- his own strong contribution to making this a One time Karen Tumulty, who is now ment mechanisms and policy to appro- better world. a very prominent reporter with Time priately support it. I believe no one in I ask all Members, to keep George's spirit Magazine, in her early days with the Washington had a better understanding alive as we proceed with our responsibilities Los Angeles Times in the 1980s, I re- of the role and the nature of science. during this CongressÐwith his respect for this member her telling me she had gone up George Brown was a champion of institution foremost in our minds and his joy of to Mr. Brown and talked about the fact science, but he was not an apologist for public service and his friendship in our hearts. that the Republicans were putting to- science. It was George who challenged f gether this huge campaign against both the scientific community and its him. He was sitting behind us in the policy advocates to be self-aware, yes, IN HONOR OF THE LATE GEORGE Speaker’s Lobby, and she posed the to be self-critical lest we continue to, BROWN question to him, why it was that he in his words, develop an uncritical The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. was not that concerned. He looked up faith that where science leads us is WALDEN of Oregon). Under a previous and said, ‘‘Gosh, the absolute worst where we want to go.

VerDate 29-OCT-99 06:33 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00135 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09NO7.150 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 H11842 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 9, 1999 George Brown did not shy away from TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEORGE E. denied that privilege. That went to Mr. asking the tough questions. He pointed BROWN, JR. Babbitt. So George says, looks like out that ‘‘It is still difficult to draw a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a they have a little something less for correlation between scientific and previous order of the House, the gen- us. They provided us with a single technological capability on the one tleman from California (Mr. HUNTER) is sheet of plastic. I think we were to pull hand and quality of life on the other.’’ recognized for 5 minutes. up like a makeshift windshield to keep He reminded us that if we look at the Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I am not ourselves from getting too much of this world as a whole, it is not at all clear going to use 5 minutes, because my col- pollution in the teeth. that advances in science and tech- leagues have spoken much more elo- We got lots of it that day. And here nology have translated into sustain- quently than I could, and I also want to was George Brown, a guy who had im- able advances in the quality of life for thank the gentleman from Wisconsin mense prestige and political power, and the majority of the human race. (Mr. RYAN) for delaying his long await- could have been doing a lot more com- He warned us of the potential soci- ed special order to allow us to com- fortable things than riding around in etal crisis fueled by a deteriorating plete this California memory of George the Salton Sea with whitecaps coming public education system, unaffordable Brown. over the stern of this little air boat, be- health care, ethnic polarization, urban I think that the centerpiece and the cause he believed in this cause of violence, environmental degradation, trademark of our democracy in this cleaning up the Salton Sea. That was and the lack of political courage and House of Representatives is civility. George Brown. A man of great civility, leadership necessary for decisive action The ability of the Members of the a man with great good humor. on these matters. Representative House to have close quarters combat And I like to think of George as George E. Brown, Jr. had that kind of on values and on philosophy and yet re- being a real product of this country courage and he demonstrated it in each main civil to each other. And I think if that he came from, this Imperial Coun- of his 18 terms in this House. George there was anything that George Brown ty, Imperial Valley. He was born in Brown never took the easy or politi- taught not only the delegation but the Holtville, the carrot capital of the cally expedient way. What a model he rest of the House it was civility. world, where they do a lot of farming, provided for us. He did all the things that my col- where people are hard working Ameri- Mr. Speaker, I yield to my good leagues have mentioned. When we on cans, they are open and straight- friend and colleague, the gentleman the Republican side ran strong, tough forward, and they all seem to have a from California (Mr. FARR). races against him, the next time we sense of humor. And I think that Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, saw him, he would be smiling, he would George acceded to that desert sense of I thank the gentleman for yielding to be beaming, he would be winning, and humor in the best way, brought it to me, and I would like to add, Marta, he would not hold it against you. It this House and this chamber, and that I felt that memorializing your was an amazing lesson. I think it was a helped to make us all better people and husband, our colleague, in statuary lesson that we all ourselves tried to better representatives because of it. hall, where he was surrounded by some So I want to thank the gentleman emulate, and in that sense he threw a of the greatest leaders of this country, from California (Mr. FARR) and the rock into the pond and caused a lot of was appropriate because in my mind gentleman from California (Mr. LEWIS) ripples of civility. He helped us to be George was as great as all of them and for putting on this very important he should be in that hall. He is in this better to each other. He was a guy with a great good sense service. George Brown is going to live hall here tonight, because as long as of humor. I recall when we were work- for a long time in our hearts and I someone is in our minds, they are here. ing the Salton Sea project, which he think in our actions, because I think We have heard from his colleagues we are all going to be a little better to was a real champion of, and he worked tonight. What a great father for the each other. We are still going to have with the gentleman from California State of California. I do not think any- those tough differences, and I think (Mr. LEWIS), the gentleman from Cali- body understood what made California that is good, but we have a democracy fornia (Mr. BONO), the gentlewoman tick, what made California the center that is a model for the rest of the world from California (Mrs. Bono), the gen- of so many excellences, the center of because we are civil, and George Brown tleman from California (Mr. CALVERT), excellence for electronics, the center of was a leader in civility. and myself on that project, and one excellence for the entertainment indus- f try, the center of excellence for agri- day, on an extremely windy day, we culture, and so many kinds of agri- went to the Salton Sea, which is fed by TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEORGE E. culture. Agriculture in the north and the most polluted river in North Amer- BROWN, JR. agriculture in the south, totally dif- ica, the New River, when the waves The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ferent. From row crops to forestry, to were about two feet high and had previous order of the House, the gentle- all kinds of diversity, he understood whitecaps, and we were to go out with woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) the diversity of the people who live in the Secretary of the Interior Mr. Bab- is recognized for 5 minutes. the great State of California. bitt on these air boats and tour the Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. When we talked to him, we realized Salton Sea. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from that we were talking to someone who As George and I walked down to our Wisconsin (Mr. RYAN) for delaying his grasped the entire potential of Cali- air boat, I noticed that our two seats special order to give us the opportunity fornia. I think he saw that defined were extremely low to the water. And I to pay tribute to someone who in my through science and technology; that if looked over at the Secretary of the In- short time here in the United States we could take enough good minds and terior’s air boat and he had a high seat Congress was a mentor and a tutor. put those good minds to practical use that was about five feet off the water. George Brown made the Committee on beautiful places, like the diversity, And I asked a friend of mine, who was on Science fun. And I guess that is the geographical diversity, that we a native there in Imperial Valley, and something that I should be admonished cannot help but solve problems. And George Brown was born in Imperial not to say, because in this House we those problems are not just solved for Valley, in Holtville, he was really a are about the people’s business and we California, they are solved for the man of the desert, and I asked this are serious in doing that business. But United States. And when they are friend of mine, do you want to go out? what I found in George Brown is that solved for the United States, they are And he says, not on your life. He said, he loved science, but he had a holistic solved for the world. this is the most polluted stuff in North approach to science. Even though his Just a remarkable human being in America. He said, you are going to be expertise or his advocacy or his inter- our time. Every one of us was touched catching that stuff right in your teeth. ests might have fallen in one area of by him. I think that he was, indeed, So I suggested to the fish and wildlife science versus another, he was open one of the fathers of modern California, people, who were conducting the tour, enough to be able to take those groups and for that we will forever remember that maybe George and I might be al- of us on the Committee on Science that him as one of the great statues of this lowed to ride in the air boat that had had our own interests in perhaps ensur- great state. the high seats. And, of course, we were ing that there was more unmanned

VerDate 29-OCT-99 05:37 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00136 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09NO7.247 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1 November 9, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11843 space flight than manned space flight, b 2145 rather light in paying a tribute. Be- because I come from the manned space I close simply to say that something cause, of course, as I said, he was a flight advocacy group with the John- very special comes to mind of Mr. good humored man and it only took a son Space Center and the shuttles that Brown, and that is that he was a person couple of words until he had you laugh- have been going back and forth, but he that I thought exhibited the concept ing. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of could explain to each of us the fact that all of us aspire to, that we are one my time to the dean, the gentleman that there was value in whatever that human race. Before it became in vogue we advocated; that science was holis- from California (Mr. LEWIS). to talk about one race, maybe to talk Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speak- tic; that we all should be participating about diversity, maybe to talk about in it. er, I thank the gentleman very much openness and equality and opportunity, for yielding by way of closing this won- He could advocate for the space cen- I could sense that, even though just ter and he could advocate for the real derful time we have had together in knowing Mr. Brown starting in my tribute to our colleague, George sciences, the earth sciences, which he first term of Congress, that he lived his was a strong proponent of. He was a Brown. life as being part of one human race. I mentioned at the beginning of my person who was able to balance the in- For he lived it on the floor of the remarks earlier that George and I, al- terests of the members of the Com- House. He lived it in the Committee on though we had our differences politi- mittee on Science in explaining that Science. And, as I have heard from my cally from time to time, had so much we had a responsibility to promote this colleagues, he has obviously lived it all more in common. Nation as a world leader in all of the of his political life. The fact that we often talked about sciences. So this was not just a race to I am thankful for that. And, for that being born on the wrong side of the space, of which he had much more his- reason, I owe a debt of gratitude for tracks, he in Imperial County, and I tory than I would have had, but this the fact that he served us and that he was raised in San Bernardino. But was to be able to fulfill our promise served this Nation. We will be forever shortly after in his youth, he was in and our responsibility in man’s cre- grateful. Thank you, ranking member Colton, considered by us, like my ativity with research and experimen- Brown, Chairman Brown, for your lead- home, on the wrong side of the tracks. tation and outreach in the areas of ership. He and I shared our love and our pride science and physics and other areas f as being alumni of the wonderful uni- that the Committee on Science cov- versity in West Los Angeles, UCLA. ered. TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GEORGE E. George also had this great passion for I found that he had a wry sense of BROWN, JR. science but particularly for NASA. humor, he had a good sense of humor, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a When I had the chance to work with he had an enormous sense of humor. previous order of the House, the gen- NASA’s programming in the VA-HUD And we could always rely upon ranking tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. GOOD- subcommittee, George and I profes- member Brown, for I did not have the LING) is recognized for 5 minutes. sionally spent a lot of time together privilege of serving with him as chair- Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, George and many times in the battle here on man, although that never got the best and I, of course, served here together the floor to save the Space Station and of him, but he would always, in a mo- for 24 years. A more perfect gentleman the future work of NASA. Beyond that, we had a great love for ment when it got too serious in our you would not find. His humor was water. I remember George talking committee, there was ranking member mentioned by several, and I would have about riding in an innertube down the Brown with the appropriate sense of to say that he had the best one-liners Alamo River where he had his first ex- humor to bring us all back to the re- and the shortest one-liners that I have perience with the Salton Sea and his ality that we are simply mere mortals ever heard. Usually two or three words commitment to that project as a part and this too will pass. and he could crack you up pretty of his youth but also as a part of his To his family, to his dear family and quickly. very intense and life-long love for the his dear wife, we thank them in par- But I have to tell my colleagues, ticular for sharing him for all these environment. George also had everybody in the George kind of closed his days and many years. I thank him particularly House of Representatives believing for his openness to then freshmen my memory of him when Arlene and I that I have a chronic cold condition. went and visited Marta and George at members in the class of 1995, the 104th He was on the fourth floor; and, of Congress, the Congress that Democrats their new home in San Bernardino course, I got on the second floor. And I where they had been there for a while were not in control. There was a small could smell the elevator coming and I but they built this huge, huge fish class of 13 of us that came in as Demo- was ready. Because, of course, it was pond, the largest fish pond I have ever crats, and I was fortunate enough to se- not only George on the elevator. It was seen in my life and the first time, and cure a place on the Committee on his famous cigar on the elevator with I told friends of this, the first time I Science. Mr. Brown served, even in my him. ever heard George even raise a doubt lowest ranking position, as a wel- Well, I get a violent migraine from about his commitment for the environ- coming mentor and a person who was cigar smoke. So every time the door ment. encouraging of the work that we had to opened, I would, of course, pull out my Because suddenly, and he spent a lot do together on the Committee on handkerchief, put it on my nose, and of money for these fish, etc., and they Science. hold it over my nose until I got down. were planning to have tea out there I am grateful for his leadership and I Everybody would say, ‘‘Do you have a and watch the fish grow; and the birds was even more grateful to listen to the cold?’’ ‘‘Do you have a cold?’’ ‘‘Yes, I from the outside began flying in in many colleagues who were able to have a cold.’’ And then we would get their natural way, and stealing his share some of the wider ranges of over to the trolley and I would wait to fish. George Brown, both his civility, his see where he was going to sit, and then George was a brilliant, wonderful, kindness, his concern about world I would go to the opposite end, depend- talented guy and a reflection of the peace, which I think is most insightful ing on which end the wind was blowing. best of America’s House, the people’s of the kind of man he was, and then to And sure enough, when we got to this House, the House of Representatives. hear in the memorial service his com- side, of course, we had to get back on I appreciate all of my colleagues mitment to politics, as Senator BOXER the elevator again; and I would pull out joining with us tonight and sharing related how he provided her support in my handkerchief, ride on the elevator this evening with Marta and her fam- a very competitive race. with the handkerchief over my nose. ily. He was a man of his word. He was a And everybody would say, ‘‘Do you f man who showed great love for his Na- have a cold?’’ ‘‘Do you have a cold?’’ The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a tion and great love for his avocation, ‘‘Yes, I have a cold.’’ previous order of the House, the gen- which was a love of science and re- So they are wonderful memories of tleman from Illinois (Mr. LIPINSKI) is search. George. And he would want us to be recognized for 5 minutes.

VerDate 29-OCT-99 06:33 Nov 10, 1999 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00137 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09NO7.249 pfrm02 PsN: H09PT1