RAY BROWNE
For US Representative
(Shadow)
Residents of the District of Columbia are being denied a
vote in the U. S. Congress and Ray Browne, a committed leader, has the ability to get
self-determination for the citizens of the District of Columbia. That leadership
opportunity is the primary job of our Shadow Representative and Ray Browne is the person
who has demonstrated the a accomplishments needed to fill this important position.
Ray Browne is a native of the District of Columbia. He
grew up in the Trinidad section of the City, attended Wheatley Elementary School and has a
long and impressive record of success in both the private and public sectors. Ray and his
wife Barbara and their two children live in the City.
Private Sector Successes
For more than 20 years, Browne has built up one of the City's most respected
insurance companies, The Browne Company. In recognition of his leadership skills; he is
the past president of the Greater Washington Chapter of Charter Life Underwriters and has
been involved in numerous other associations and organizations in the City. As a leader in
his industry, Browne was, for many years, a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable.
Public Sector Successes
In public life, Ray Browne has served the City well. He has been an ANC Commissioner, a
member of the Neighborhood Planning Council, a Mediator for the Washington Superior Court
and a leader in the Democratic Party. Some of his successes include:
Voting Rights - Ray Browne fought
actively for the right of Georgetown students to vote, including the right to elect a
student to the ANC. He has been a consistent and vigorous voice for the right to vote in
the District of Columbia and for the right to voting. representation in the U. S.
Congress.
Police Protection - As the ANC
Commissioner for Georgetown, Ray Browne was successful in restoring the summer detail of
police assigned to Georgetown on weekend evenings. He also was successful in getting the
city to consider a full time police substation in the community, which was subsequently
established.
Children's Issues - Ray Browne worked
hard, against the wishes of most of the residents of Georgetown, to turn the Hurt Home on
R Street into a residential treatment center for severely emotionally distributed youths.
Today, the Hurt Home is an accepted member of the Georgetown community. He also has
directly with children as an athletic coach at Holy Trinity School and The National
Cathedral School and he continues to coach youth in track.
Substance Abuse - As a member of the DC
Mayor's Commission on Alcoholism and of The Drug Strategy Team, Ray Browne has fought for
programs to assist substance abusers. Several years ago, for example, The Washington Post
ran a story on a drug abuser, Joletha Simmons, who lived in the drug-infested Potomac
Gardens housing project in Southeast Washington. Seeing the story, Ray Browne personally
went to the project, picked up Ms. Simmons and took her to the Women's Clinic outpatient
center in Southeast Washington for treatment.
AIDS/Healthcare - In the late 1980s, when
AIDS was considered a disease for drug adds and homosexuals, Ray Browne fought with his
own insurance industry to obtain coverage for the dreaded disease. Despite major
opposition from his peers, Browne was successful in initiating the concept of a health
insurance pool for those who are uninsurable. Browne also was a strong leader in the
establishment of mandated alcohol, drug and mental health benefits for residents of the
District.
Paid for by the Committee to Elect
Ray Browne, William P. Lightfoot, Chairman
Pat Elwood, Treasurer. A copy of our report is filed with the Office of Campaign Finance
What They Say About Ray Browne
"As a member of the Mayor's Committee on Alcoholism,
Ray Browne fought hard and effectively for the recovering community... and was a strong
voice for treatment as opposed to incarceration for substance abusers."
Johnny Allem, Former Director of Communications, Barry Administration
"Ray Browne knows and cares about every section of
our city. His understanding of the city and a stellar record of public service uniquely
qualify him to be our U.S. Representative."
Sam Bost, President, Far Northeast-Southeast Council
"In the early 90's, I had the good fortune to work
with Ray Browne on the blue ribbon Mayor's Drug Strategy Team. I was impressed with the
degree of commitment and caring that he dedicated to this effort. Ray is an intelligent
and industrious man, he will represent us well."
The Honorable Harold Brazil, DC Councilmember At-Large
"Ray Browne is a real DC guy who is respected
throughout our city. His record of successful public service at many levels is a real plus
in his campaign for Shadow Representative. I support Ray's candidacy wholeheartedly and
look forward to his bringing our voting rights effort to a new level.
The Honorable Kevin Chavous, D.C. Councilmember, Ward 7
"Over the years that Ray Browne and I have worked
together for the benefit of the City, I have found Ray to be a vigorous advocate for his
constituents and causes. As a native Washingtonian, Ray brings a unique understanding and
commitment to issues.
The Honorable Jack Evans, D.C. Councilmember, Ward 2 .
"Over the twenty years that I have known him, Ray
Browne has been a leader in our city. Whether it was the ANC, the Superior Court, or
various Boards and Commissions, he has always been a positive force.
John D. Hicks, ANC Commissioner 7B
"At the time when the Shadow Representatives'
position has never been more important to our city, the best candidate for the job is Ray
Browne. His record of public service, his lifelong presence in the city, and his vision
for the role of shadow representative in our effort to obtain self-determination are
unequaled."
The Honorable William P. Lightfoot, Former DC Councilmember
"Browne has at least shown that he is a bold
candidate, and savvy in his efforts to keep voters focused on the issues - and not get
sidetracked by race."
Courtland Milloy, The Washington Post
"Ray Browne is that unique Washingtonian, by birth,
who has the keen insight and concomitant ability to combine the best of old Washington,
D.C. with the very best of the new D.C. He will be an outstanding United States
Representative (Shadow)."
Norm Neverson, President, Ward 4 Democratic Committee
"When Ray Browne was Vice-Chair of the Hurt Home
Advisory Board, he took on the lonely and unpopular job of helping to establish Hurt Home,
an important facility for our city's poor and emotionally disadvantaged children against
significant community opposition."
Dan Wedderburn, Former Chairman, Consumer Utility Board
"Ray Browne ...likewise (has) demonstrated through
(his) campaign and past civic activities that (he has) much to offer this city. (He)
should continue (his) pursuit of public office, whether elected or appointed.
The Washington Post |