Political Quotes

“just 2 weeks ago, this Nation was saddened and anguished by the tragic death of Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and 32 other Government and business leaders in Croatia. As a very close personal friend of Ron Brown's, I regret deeply, Mr. President, that I could not be here to console his widow, Alma, and his children, Michael and Tracy, in their time of grief. My thoughts and prayers today, as they have been over the last several weeks, are with the Brown family and with the families of all of the victims of this terrible tragedy. Although we have many pressing issues before us in this body, Mr. President, I want to take just a few minutes, if I can, to reflect and remember the extraordinary and distinguished legacy of Ron Brown. As I stand before the Senate here today, many thoughts come to mind, Mr. President, about Ron Brown--civil rights activists, Democratic Party chairman, Commerce Secretary, bridge builder, and certainly a very close and dear personal friend. Beyond my great sense of personal loss, Mr. President, when I think of Ron Brown I also think of public service and public servant. From all the time that I knew Ron Brown, from when he was a trusted aide to our colleague, Senator Kennedy, to when he was chairman of the Democratic Party and his last role as Secretary of Commerce, Ron Brown epitomized, in my view, what public service is all about. Ron Brown labored tirelessly for what he believed in.…”