Posted on 04/04/2012 11:45:35 AM PDT by hattend
Dear Commerce employees,
Today at the Department of Commerce, we remember the contributions of Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, a committed public servant who dedicated his life to strengthening America’s prosperity and making a difference.
As you know, 16 years ago today, we suffered the tragic loss of Secretary Ron Brown, 11 Commerce employees, and 23 other U.S. and Croatian citizens, who perished in a plane crash while on a trade mission to Croatia. The trip was planned to help the recovering economy of the war-torn Baltics – a mission consistent with Secretary Brown’s legacy as a strong supporter of developing economic opportunity and growth both here and abroad.
Long before I became Secretary, I was privileged to have had the opportunity to get to know Secretary Brown when I joined him and 23 other CEOs on a trade mission to China 18 years ago - among the first ever. I was inspired by his hard work and tireless dedication for American businesses.
We all knew Secretary Brown as an influential figure and tireless advocate for American businesses. His accomplishments as Secretary included helping NOAA rebuild depleted fisheries and modernizing the National Weather Service. Secretary Brown also worked with NTIA to lead the Information Infrastructure Task Force, laying the groundwork for the Internet boom.
In addition, Secretary Brown led trade missions to five different continents that led to more than $80 billion in foreign deals for U.S. businesses – helping support good jobs for hardworking families here at home.
Secretary Brown was also a trailblazer throughout his life. Early on, he was the first African American to integrate his college fraternity and to become a partner at the prestigious Washington law firm, Patton, Boggs & Blow. Later, he became the first African American chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and then, the first African American Secretary of Commerce, where he served for three years under President Bill Clinton.
I’ve talked with many of you about the legacy that Secretary Brown has left here at the Department of Commerce. He’s been consistently described to me as a warm, engaging person who showed pride for his hardworking team of employees. Even though his passing was a tragedy and loss for all of us, his legacy as Secretary of Commerce continues to live on in the work we do every day supporting American businesses and creating U.S. jobs.
Sincerely,
Secretary John Bryson
Not a lot to do around Commerce I guess. I wonder if this guy even knows that Brown was about to get indicted for criminal activities and he threatened Clinton with not taking the fall for him and tragically he never came back from his last overseas trip. Also one of the medical examiners noted that Browns’ corpse X-ray had a perfectly round hole the size of a .45 cal in the top of his head? Nah just conjecture I guess.
And the cliton gif fake crying is great.
Ron Brown: just another victim of Arkancide :-)
I cannot forget what a scumbag Rob Brown was but by today’s standards, he is pretty tame.
Translation: "Remember, all you wise guys, Hillary's getting ready to run again. So don't get no bright ideas, see?"
Yup, saved the Commies a good 20 years of catch-up.
No tears for one traitor being murdered by another.
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