Corrine Brown
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| Corrine Brown | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Bennett |
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| Born | November 11, 1946 Jacksonville, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Attorney Shantrel Brown |
| Residence | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Alma mater | Florida A&M University(B.S.), University of Florida(M.A.), (Ed.S.) |
| Occupation | Politician, College professor |
| Religion | Baptist |
Corrine Brown (born November 11, 1946) an American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing Florida's 3rd congressional district.[1] The district includes parts of Duval, Clay, Putnam, Alachua, Volusia, Marion, Lake, Seminole, and Orange Counties. She currently serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Veterans Affairs Committees and Chairs the Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials.[2]
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[edit] Biography
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Brown earned a bachelor of science from Florida A&M University in 1969[3][2] In college she became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, one of four African American Greek letter sororities in the United States. She earned a master's degree in 1971 and an educational specialist degree from the University of Florida in 1974. She received an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, and has been on the faculty at the latter two schools and at Florida Community College at Jacksonville.[4]
Before entering government at the national level, Brown served in the Florida House of Representatives for ten years beginning in 1982. She gaining wide recognition in the Jacksonville area, and served as a delegate to the 1988 Democratic National Convention.[citation needed]
After the 1990 census, the Florida legislature carved out a new Third Congressional District in the northern part of the state. This district was designed to enclose an African-American majority within its boundaries. A horseshoe-shaped district touching on largely African-American neighborhoods in Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando, and Ocala,[5] the Third District seemed likely to send Florida's first African-American to Congress since Reconstruction, and Brown decided to run.[6]
Brown faced several candidates in the 1992 Democratic primary, but the strongest opponent to emerge was Andy Johnson, a white talk radio host from Jacksonville. Brown defeated Johnson in the primary and in a two-candidate runoff, and went on to win the general election in November 1992.[7]
In 1995, the boundaries of the Third District were struck down by the Supreme Court due to their irregular shape.[8] One of the main instigators of the lawsuit that led to the redistricting was Brown's old political rival, Andy Johnson. Brown railed against the change, complaining that "[t]he Bubba I beat [Johnson] couldn't win at the ballot box [so] he took it to court," as she was quoted as saying in the New Republic. Although the district lines were redrawn, Brown still won the 1996 election.[9]
Brown has enjoyed some of her strongest support from religious leaders, organized labor and the sugar industry.[5][10][11]
[edit] Political controversies
In her 2003-2005, Brown cosponsored legislation regarding civil rights and foreign relations. She also participated in Michael Moore's "Slacker" college voter drive tour.
On the first day of early voting for the 2004 General Election, Brown, with several supporters, stood on the steps of the entrance of the Duval County Supervisor of Elections headquarters, an early voting site, and began passing out a "pseudo-ballot," directing people to vote for only Democratic candidates and Florida amendments that should pass. It was not until noon that Brown and her supporters moved to the mandatory fifty feet away from the entrance. Brown stated her intention had been to increase awareness of early voting, and that she had not knowingly violated the fifty feet rule.[12]
In July 2004 Brown was censured by the House of Representatives after she referred to the disputed 2000 presidential election in Florida as a "coup d'état". This comment came during floor debate over HR-4818, which would have provided for international monitoring of the 2004 U.S. presidential election.[13]
[edit] Voting record (partial)
Brown was one of the 31 representatives who voted against counting the electoral votes from Ohio in the United States presidential election, 2004.[14] In 2006, she voted "no" on the Child Custody Protection Act, Public Expression of Religion Act, Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act, Military Commissions Act, and Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006. She voted "yes" on the SAFE Port Act.[3] On September 29, 2008, Brown voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.[15][16]
[edit] Committee assignments
[edit] Possible Senate candidacy
On June 1, 2009, Brown announced she would form an exploratory committee for a possible run for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Mel Martinez saying, "These are challenging times for Florida. Our economy is in a shambles and our families are hurting. Charlie Crist may be good at taking pictures and making promises, but what has he actually accomplished?" [17][18] Other Democratic candidates include Congressman Kendrick Meek, state Senator Dan Gelber, and North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns.[citation needed]
[edit] Notes
- ^ National Atlas map congressional district 3.
- ^ a b Corrine Brown Biography, accessed Oct 10, 2009
- ^ a b Votes Database, Washington Post, accessed Oct 10 2009
- ^ Brown, Corrine, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- ^ a b Bill Adair and Monica Davey "Rep. Brown explains check from Lyons", St. Petersburg Times, Jul 28, 1998
- ^ Resolution of the State Senate of Alabama Commending Congresswoman Corrine Brown, Alabama State Legislature, 2000.
- ^ "Concentrating Minority Voters Builds Liberal Strength in the South", Stanford University Graduate School of Business News, Apr 11, 2004
- ^ "The shape of things to come: Cleo Fields is the first to fall as redistricting changes the political map — Blacks in Congress are threatened — Elections '96", Black Enterprise, Oct 1996.
- ^ "Testimony of Professor David Canon " (June 21, 2006). Senate testimony.[dead link]
- ^ Monica Davey, David Barstow and David Dahl "Lawmaker got $10,000 from Lyons fund" St. Petersburg Times, Apr 14, 1998
- ^ Corrine Brown PAC contributions 2007-8, Congress.org
- ^ Meenan, Kyle First Coast News Report. FirstCoastNews.com, Oct 19, 2004[dead link]
- ^ Gary Detman Congresswoman Corrine Brown in Jacksonville after censure, Firstcoastnews.com, Jul 15, 2004
- ^ Final vote results for roll call 7, Jan 6, 2005
- ^ Bailout roll call, Sep 29, 2008, retrieved on Sep 29, 2008
- ^ What has Corrine Brown done for the middle class, accessed Oct 10, 2009
- ^ U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown joins race for Senate seat, The Miami Herald, Jun 3, 2009, accessed Aug 23, 2009
- ^ Simmons, Ronnie Rep. Corrine Brown announces Senate Exploratory Committee, Westside Gazette, Jun 3, 2009, accessed Aug 23, 2009
[edit] Additional references
- Corrine Brown Quotes, BrainyQuotes.com, accessed Oct 10, 2009.
- Brown issues apology to Asst. Secretary of State Florida Times-Union, Feb 26, 2004
- Bonilla: Muted Reaction to Brown Shows Double Standard FoxNews.com, Feb 27, 2004
- Rep. Corrine Brown and her long trail of lies, deceit and unpaid bills, Capitol Hill Blue, August 1999
- Doug Thompson, The most corrupt member of Congress?" Capitol Hill Blue, May 17, 2005
- Ken Silverstein, "The ITERA/Weldon Link: Congressman flacked for daughter's client despite being briefed on its shady practices", Harper's Magazine, October 24, 2006
- Anthony Gancarski, "Rep. Corrine Brown: A Good Fit for Her District?", CounterPunch, January 31, 2003
- "Ethics finds troubling conduct by Rep. Corrine Brown"[dead link], CNN.com, September 21, 2000
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congresswoman Corrine Brown official House site
- Corrine Brown for Congress[dead link] official campaign site
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Charles E. Bennett |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 3rd congressional district 1993–Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
