H*4951 Concurrent Resolution, By J.H. Neal
 A Concurrent Resolution expressing the profound sorrow and deepest sympathy of
 the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina to the
 family and countless friends of a true public servant, Secretary of Commerce
 Ronald H. Brown, one of the finest and most distinguished leaders of our
 nation's history.

   04/16/96  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-5
   04/17/96  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-5

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

EXPRESSING THE PROFOUND SORROW AND DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO THE FAMILY AND COUNTLESS FRIENDS OF A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT, SECRETARY OF COMMERCE RONALD H. BROWN, ONE OF THE FINEST AND MOST DISTINGUISHED LEADERS IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY.

Whereas, Commerce Secretary Ronald H. Brown departed this life on Wednesday, April 3, 1996; and

Whereas, it was with the greatest sadness that all South Carolinians received the news of this great man's death; and

Whereas, born in Washington, the fifty-four year old grew up in a Harlem trademark, the Hotel Theresa, which his father managed; Secretary Brown's parents sent him to private schools in New York, then to Middlebury College in Vermont, and he graduated from St. John's Law School in New York, where one of his professors was Mario Cuomo; and

Whereas, Secretary Brown served his country as a captain in the United States Army in the 1960s; and

Whereas, Secretary Brown was a devoted husband to his wife of thirty-three years, Alma, and loving father to their children, Michael and Tracey, both of whom have pursued careers as outstanding attorneys; and

Whereas, he was a distinguished and brilliant attorney, with an excellent legal grasp of knowledge relating to policies and other important matters of the world; and

Whereas, Ron Brown was a tireless advocate for American business, the essence of leadership, a man who could walk into a room and almost instantly build partnership, camaraderie, and a sense of purpose; and

Whereas, anyone who has known him up close has a story about his ability to heal hurt feelings, bring warring sides together, and whose multiple talents will not be easily replaced; and

Whereas, from abroad, where Secretary Brown had traveled extensively representing the United States, world leaders sent their condolences and tributes which poured in from countries including Japan, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Canada, France, Germany, and Kenya; and

Whereas, business groups hailed Secretary Brown in promoting American products and services in the global marketplace; and

Whereas, Secretary Brown, along with the thirty-two fine American "Patriots" who died with him, are a painful loss to the United States and will not be easily replaced; and

Whereas, the United States has lost a distinguished, brilliant, and compassionate man in Secretary Ronald H. Brown, and we want the members of his family and his many friends to know that they are uppermost in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, are proud to have this opportunity to note the enormous achievements of the late Secretary Ronald H. Brown. History will record his outstanding achievements and lasting impact on our nation and the world.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Secretary Ronald H. Brown.