To designate the Federal building located at 799 United Nations Plaza in New York, New York, as the "Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building".

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation and excitement that the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has passed my bill, H.R. 837, which would designate a new State Department building in New York City as the Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building in honor of the late Commerce Secretary. The 26-story building, located at 799 United Nations Plaza, across the street from the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly, will house the United States Delegation to the U.N., which carries out the

Nation's participating activities in the world body. The building is expected to be completed this fall.

This legislation, which I have introduced in the past three Congresses, is long overdue. Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Barbara Boxer of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the support of my New York colleague, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who serves on the Committee, the bill now awaits passage by the full Senate. If successful, it would go to the President to be signed into law. I feel very hopeful that Congress will finally and rightfully recognize this great public servant as one of the greatest international salesmen of the United States in our history.

As Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton's cabinet, Ron Brown became one of the greatest ambassadors that the American government ever had abroad. He did more than just extend trade and get people to buy our goods and services. He extended love, attention and sensitivity, especially in the developing countries where our government had not spent the time that we should have. Secretary Brown not only sold our wares, but he was able to sell our reputation as a country that wanted to help other countries.

I went with him to South Africa and saw how he negotiated with political leaders there. He did more than talk about which South African party was right or wrong or how to bring about solidarity. He asked how we could help the people get clean water, medicine, and food. Secretary Brown let them know that our multinational companies were there not just for their shareholders, but for the shareholders of the world.

Secretary Brown, a native of Washington, D.C., grew up in Harlem where his father once worked as manager of the community's famous Theresa Hotel. I was proud to be a desk clerk at the time that Ron and his family were living there. So I know that Ron never forgot Harlem. Throughout his life, Ron Brown broke many barriers. He was the first African-American to serve as Secretary of Commerce and the first African-American Chairman of a national political party.

In addition, he advanced civil rights as Deputy Executive Director at the National Urban League, served four years in the U.S. military, and, as Democratic Party Chairman, played an instrumental role in the revival of the Democratic Party and the 1992 election of Bill Clinton as President of the United States. Secretary Brown died in a plane crash in 1996 on a trade mission requested by the State Department to boost economic reconstruction of the war torn region of former Yugoslavia.

It would be fitting that when people come to New York, they would see diverse peoples of different colors, languages, and cultures, and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Building bearing Ron Brown's name. There could not be a sight that would be more reminiscent of the man and the contributions he made to my community, this country, and the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 837, a bill to designate the United States Mission to the United Nations Building located at 799 First Avenue, New York, New York, as the ``Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building''.

Enactment of this legislation is long overdue. I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) for his steadfastness in supporting this bill. Congressman Rangel introduced similar bills in the 108th, 109th, and 110th Congresses.

Last Congress, the House passed H.R. 735, to designate the United States Mission to the United Nations in honor of Ron Brown. Unfortunately, the Senate was unable to act on the bill. I am pleased that today we will again pass this bill and pay a fitting tribute to the life and achievements of this extraordinary American.

Ron Brown was a man who served his country in many capacities: lawyer, pragmatic bridge builder, statesman, mentor, and trusted friend.

He may be best known for his service as the first African-American Secretary of Commerce. In that position, he became a powerful and influential voice for promoting American products and trade abroad. He championed expanding markets for U.S. goods and services, in order to increase job opportunities and foster job creation here at home.

He also served President Clinton on the National Economic Council, the Domestic Policy Council, the Task Force on National Health Care Reform, the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee, and the U.S.-Russia Business Development Committee.

Secretary Brown served on the Board of Trustees for Middlebury College and received his law degree from St. John's University in New York City. Prior to entering public service, he worked as a welfare caseworker in New York City.

In addition to his many talents and strengths, Secretary Brown was a passionate civil rights activist with a distinguished record of service to his community. His commitment to this nation and its citizens provides a model for us all.

Secretary Brown's life tragically ended in April 1996, when he was killed in a plane crash in Croatia while on an official Department of Commerce trade mission.

The Department of State requested that Secretary Brown personally undertake the trade mission to highlight and find opportunities for U.S. businesses to boost economic reconstruction of the war torn region of former Yugoslavia.

Congress has previously designated four Federal buildings that serve as Department of State facilities. In 2000, Congress designated the Department of State headquarters as the ``Harry S Truman Federal Building'' (P.L. 106-218). In 2004, Congress designated the Foreign Service Institute as the ``George P. Schultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center'' (P.L. 108-136). In 2005, Congress designated the United States Embassy Annex in Rome, Italy, as the ``Mel Sembler Building'' (P.L. 108-447) and designated the Federal building in Kingston, Jamaica, as the ``Colin L. Powell Residential Plaza'' (P.L. 109-89).

Secretary Brown died in service to his country. It is fitting and proper to honor this Federal building as the ``Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building''.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 837.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 837, the ``Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building''. I would like to thank my colleague Charlie Rangel for introducing this legislation. H.R. 837 moves to designate the federal building at 799 United Nations Plaza in New York as the Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building.

Former United States Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton, Ronald Brown, has always been a dedicated U.S servant. Born in Washington, DC, he quickly showed an interest in public service, as a young man he was a member of the African-American social and philanthropic organization. Brown also worked for the Jack and Jill foundation, an organization that works to help children to have cultural opportunities, develop leadership skills, and form social networks even in a segregated society.

Having not only a passion for public service Brown had a strong desire to serve his country as well. In 1962 upon graduation of Middlebury College he enlisted in the army, where he served in Korea and Europe.

Upon being discharged Brown joined the National Urban League, an organization that aims at advocating on behalf of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States. He would excel within the organization where he moved all the way up to Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Governmental Affairs. Following his service with the National Urban League, he immediately began fighting for another great American public servant, Edward M. Kennedy. Brown served as campaign manager for the now second most senior member of the United States Senate.

After running Kennedy's successful Senate campaign, Brown began a string of political occupations that include lobbying for the law firm Patton, Boggs & Blow, Head of the Jesse Jackson convention team for the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. Finally Brown was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee in February of 1989. Tragically, on April 3. 1996 on an official trade mission, his plane carrying him and 34 other passengers struck a mountain while attempting a procedural landing.

Ronald H. Brown was a man that dedicated his entire life to bettering the lives of others. Whether it be young African Americans in New York, fighting for the freedom of all Americans in some of the worlds most dangerous battlefields, or working day in and out to help promote and excel the careers of others whose ideals and policies he believed would better the nation. Brown's is a story that deserves to be recognized everyday. I feel designating a building in his name is the perfect way to recognize this true American public servant. This building will stand long after generations have gone and will hopefully remind all generations to come, that a dedicated spirit

and a devotion to country are qualities that deserve recognition.

Mr. Speaker I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 837, designating the federal building at 799 United Nations Plaza in New York as the ``Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building''. To recognize a great American man who devoted his life to the betterment of his country.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 837) to designate the Federal building located at 799 United Nations Plaza in New York, New York, as the ``Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 837.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 837, a bill to designate the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Building located at 799 United Nations Plaza, New York City, New York, as the Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building.

We all acknowledge Ron Brown as an extraordinary man. He wore many hats--lawyer, pragmatic bridge builder, statesman, mentor and trusted and true friend. As we are all aware, he was the first African American Secretary of Commerce. In that position he became a powerful and influential voice for promoting American products and trade abroad.

He left the National Urban League in 1979 to work for Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who sought the Democratic Party's Presidential nomination. In 1981, Brown began a career as a lawyer and lobbyist. In 1988, he was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee. From 1989 to 1992, he served as chairman and used his skills as a negotiator and pragmatic bridge builder to help reunite the Democratic Party after its defeat in the 1988 Presidential election.

In 1993, President William J. Clinton appointed Ron Brown as Secretary of Commerce. During his tenure, Secretary Brown effectively utilized and expanded the role of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Secretary Brown

was known for his amiable political style and his deft skill in negotiations. As secretary, he used these qualities effectively to promote U.S. trade, expand foreign markets for American businesses and spur domestic job growth and economic development.

Secretary Brown's life was tragically ended in April 1996 when he was killed in a plane crash while in service to his country. It is fitting and proper we honor his civic contributions by this designation, and I urge passage of H.R. 837.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

As you just heard from the gentlewoman from Maryland, this bill names the Federal building located in the United Nations Plaza in New York as the Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building.

This bill has already passed the House once before and, as you have heard the explanation, here it is in front of us.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the remaining part of my time.