It is with deep sadness that we learned that former U.S. Representative, veteran, and U.S. Capitol Historical Society President, Clarence “Bud” Brown, Jr., recently passed away at the age of 94. Our thoughts are with his widow, Joyce, who shared each chapter of his public service, and with their children Clancy, Cathy, and Roy.

Representative Brown served honorably in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He later succeeded his father, Congressman Clarence Brown, Sr., as representative of Ohio’s 7th Congressional district between 1965 and 1983. While in office, he served on the House Ways and Means Committee and as the ranking Member of the House-Senate Joint Economic Committee (JEC). During this time, he built meaningful relationships with manufacturing and business community leaders; and worked bipartisanly to win passage of the JEC’s first two unanimous reports. Many of their policy proposals were incorporated by Congress and the President to encourage private investment and spur economic growth and job creation.

Afterwards, he served as the 5th U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce and later as acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

After retiring from public employment, Representative Brown served as the 2nd President of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society from 1992 to 1999. His vision was instrumental in the organization’s ability to expand and reach new audiences, share Congressional history in modern and compelling ways, and diversify the Society’s funding base. In so doing, Representative Brown spent a decade leading our organization to long-term success and wellbeing.

Thank you, Bud, for your service to the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, American citizens, and the United States of America.