Jesse Brown
Jesse Brown | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 2nd United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office January 22, 1993 – July 3, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Edward J. Derwinski |
| Succeeded by | Togo D. West, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 27, 1944 Detroit, Michigan |
| Died | August 15, 2002 (aged 58) Warrenton, Virginia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | City Colleges of Chicago |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Jesse Brown (March 27, 1944 – August 15, 2002) was the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997.
Early life
[change | change source]Jesse Brown was born on March 27, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, but grew up in Chicago. He attended The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and Roosevelt University in Chicago, and graduated from the City Colleges of Chicago.
Military service
[change | change source]He joined in the United States Marine Corps in 1963, and served as a Marine in the Vietnam War, where he was seriously injured in 1965 near Da Nang – his right arm shattered and partially paralyzed.
Veterans service
[change | change source]DAV
[change | change source]In 1967, Brown joined the staff of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a service and advocacy organization. He served in many different supervisory roles with the DAV in the 1970s and 1980s:
- 1973 – supervisor of National Service Office in Washington, D.C.
- 1976 – supervisor of National Appeals Office
- 1981 – Chief of Claims, National Service and Legislative Headquarters
- 1983 – Deputy National Service Director
In 1989, Brown became the DAV's first African-American director, serving until 1993.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
[change | change source]In January 1993, Brown was picked by President Bill Clinton to the position of Secretary of Veterans Affairs,[1] serving until 1997. He was the first African American to hold that post. During his time as Secretary, Brown offered more services to female veterans, homeless veterans and veterans who were sick because of chemical exposures in Vietnam or the Gulf War. After he resigned as Secretary, Brown founded a consulting firm, Brown and Associates.[2]
Death
[change | change source]Brown died in Warrenton, Virginia on August 15, 2002 of lower motor neuron syndrome – being diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, since 1999.[2][3] He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[3]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Barringer, Felicty (December 18, 1992). "The Transition:Clinton Selects Ex-Mayor for H.U.D. and an Ex-Marine for Veterans Affairs; Defender of the Rights of Veterans Masters Thickets of Regulations". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jesse Brown, former secretary of Veterans Affairs, succumbs at 58 - National Report. Jet. September 2, 2002. Accessed 25 December 2007.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Arlington Cemetery profile.
Other websites
[change | change source]- "Jesse Brown - Corporal, United States Marine Corps - Secretary of Veterans Affairs". ArlingtonCemetery.net. 2006-04-23. Archived from the original on 2007-11-27. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
- "Jesse Brown, 58, Ex-Marine Who Headed Veterans Dept". New York Times. August 17, 2002. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
- "Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program". Disabled American Veterans. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
