Richard Gephardt: “in the few days since Ron Brown's death, it has already become a cliche to speak of his brilliant political career--of…”

“in the few days since Ron Brown's death, it has already become a cliche to speak of his brilliant political career--of his pioneering role as party leader, and his efforts to almost single-handedly redefine the Commerce Department and its influence on the American economy. For those of us who considered Ron a friend, it is reassuring to know that the country remembers him as fondly we do. But when there are so many tangible achievements to celebrate in a man's life, it becomes harder to recognize what is less tangible, but perhaps more important. To me, there is a reason that Ron Brown broke down so many barriers in so many aspects of his life, and shattered so many preconceptions about politics, race, and America's place in the world. For all his practical and political talents, Ron Brown was an idealist, pure and simple. His goals for himself, his party, and his country were always based on what should be, and not on what others thought could be. That is a rare quality in a politician, and a rare quality in a human being.”