Press Statement - July 16, 1999

PS 99-10
Contact:	David Stonner	(703) 292-8070	dstonner@nsf.gov

Dr. Rita Colwell,
Director
National Science Foundation

On the Death of Congressman George E. Brown, Jr.

I am deeply saddened by the death last night of Congressman George E. Brown (D-CA), Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Science in the U. S. House of Representatives.

George Brown was the "wise man of science" in the Congress. In his long and distinguished tenure on the Science Committee he was the most articulate spokesperson for continuing investments in science and technology for the nation’s long-term well-being.

Brown played a pivotal role in the development of a permanent structure for science and technology in the federal government. From the creation of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to the Environmental Protection Agency, the George Brown fingerprint was apparent.

He championed the new territories of science long before they entered the mainstream. He was an early and outspoken advocate of environmental research, space science, biotechnology, and the information sciences.

Our greatest tribute to his wise legacy will be to remember and repeat the lessons he taught us.