Dianne Feinstein: “I would like to comment briefly on the tragic death of Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, which occurred last week in…”

“I would like to comment briefly on the tragic death of Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, which occurred last week in Croatia. I have know Ron Brown and his family for 12 years. Ron was a friend of mine, and a friend of the State of California. One of his first duties as Commerce Secretary was to find ways to resuscitate California's economy, and he helped to do just that. Ron Brown made the Department of Commerce a positive force for helping the largest State in the Union recover from the devastating recession of the early 1990's. Ron had a vision of a prosperous America, where the cliche that 'a rising tide lifts all boats' could actually come true. He focused his Department and this administration on looking for opportunities to help the American economy make the transition from the era of heavy industry to an era of high technology, scientific innovation, and the advancement of the current revolution in communications. Ron helped formulate this vision, made sure that his Department gave grants and other forms of assistance to firms pursuing it, and at the time of his death was advocating that vision to other parts of the world. But even more important than his career was the man himself. Always upbeat, with ceaseless energy, Ron could persuade the most vehement skeptic of the value of his vision and efforts for our country. He served in a variety of roles, and in each he excelled.”