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House's oldest member dies of infection
July 16, 1999 WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 16) -- Rep. George E. Brown Jr. (D-California), the oldest member of the House and the ranking Democrat on the House Science Committee, died overnight after a long hospitalization for treatment of an infection. He was 79. Brown, of Riverside, served southern California's 42nd District, which includes San Bernardino and other suburbs west of Los Angeles. He first was elected in 1962, after working for the city of Los Angeles for 17 years.
The chairman of the Science panel before Democrats lost the majority in the chamber in 1994, Brown was in his 18th term in the House. He used his post on the Science Committee to support space exploration, both manned and unmanned. Brown had heart valve replacement surgery May 3 at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in the Washington suburbs. He recovered well and returned to work part time about a week later. In mid-June, though, he was readmitted to the hospital with what his office said was a postoperative infection. As he aged, the cigar-smoking Brown cut a rumpled presence in the Capitol, and he spent his career using his influence for science and space exploration. In 1970, he gave up a safe seat in the House to run for the Senate, but was defeated in a primary by Sen. John Tunney. Two years later, he won a seat in a new California district and returned to the House. President Bill Clinton issued a statement Friday praising Brown's career. "For almost 40 years, from his earliest days fighting racial inequality, George Brown challenged us to build a better world. Our nation has lost a good man and an irreplaceable voice for science and justice," Clinton said. The House adjourned Friday in memory of Brown and members will give a tribute to him Monday on the House floor. In recent elections, Republicans made him a perennial target for defeat. They came close numerous times -- Brown won with 51 percent of the vote in 1992, 1994 and 1996 -- but never were able to dislodge him. A special election will be held to fill the remaining 18 months in the current Congress. There was no immediate word on funeral arrangements. The Associated Press contributed to this report. MORE STORIES:Friday, July 16, 1999
• Poll: Independent candidate would not fare well against Gore, Bush • Health care debate far from over • FEC filings show chips on Bush's side of the table • House's oldest member dies of infection • House GOP may reduce tax relief package • Republicans, Democrats trade barbs over farm relief • Bush intensity gets in your face • Cisneros judge suggests he's likely to allow use of some tapes • House OKs Congress pay hike, doubling presidential salary • Senators hear from localities on Y2K readiness • Bush fund-raising overwhelms Republicans and Democrats • Boston station's swap of donor list with Democrats under review • Mayor's race pits city's strongest politicians • Congress sends law to White House by e-mail for first time • Clinton raising money, touting education in Iowa proposal • TV appearance leads to candidate's arrest on burglary warrant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
