BIOGRAPHY OFCONGRESSWOMAN CORRINE BROWN 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

Corrine Brown was elected to Congress in 1992 as a public servant who prides herself on delivering the goods and services of the federal government to her constituents. Brown was reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives for a sixth term in November 2002. As a result of Brown’s commitment to bringing the services of Washington back to Florida, communities throughout the Third District have been able to access resources previously unavailable to them.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Brown, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, is known as a fighter by her constituents and colleagues. Her campaign slogan, Corrine Delivers, is one of the most apt descriptions of Brown’s style of service. By focusing on issues that are key to economic development, Brown has helped bring jobs and opportunities to towns and cities throughout the Third District. One of her first accomplishments as a Member of Congress was winning funding for the much-needed Fuller Warren Bridge in Jacksonville, which funnels Interstate 95 traffic away from the city. She also secured a $100 million federal courthouse for Jacksonville, at a time when courthouse funding was scarce. The courthouse is one of the centerpieces of Jacksonville’s downtown development.

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

Early in the 108th Congress, Brown was picked by the Democratic Leadership to be the Ranking Democrat on the Transportation Subcommittee on Railroad. This subcommittee is very important to Florida and the Third District because of its jurisdiction over the passenger and freight rail industry, which plays a vital role in Florida’s economy. Brown has been a member of the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure since coming to Congress. She has been critical in the fight to get Florida its share of transportation money. For years, Florida has been a donor state to the Highway Trust Fund and the Airport Improvement Program. Brown was a leader in the fight to change transportation funding through an initiative called "Tea-21," which returns more transportation money to populous states like Florida and Texas. As a result, Florida now receives a 57% increase in transportation funding. Brown is also a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation and she successfully lobbied to change the language in the Airport Improvement Program so that Florida's airports receive more funding from the FAA. Brown is also responsible for securing more than $75 million for a new runway at the Orlando International Airport.

VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

During her tenure in Congress, Brown has always been a Member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. She has championed the rights of veterans and called for better funding for veterans health care programs. During the 108th Congress, Brown serves on both the Health and Benefits Subcommittee. As the former Ranking Member on Oversight and Investigation, Brown presided over twenty hearing on issues relating to veterans services, health care, and VA's readiness for the new millennium. She also called the first hearing since 1994 on issues concerning women veterans. Upon realizing the limited space for veterans burial in Florida, Brown introduced legislation that was later passed to establish a new national cemetery in south Florida. Brown also introduced legislation to expand and improve the National Veteran's Cemetery system. She also championed legislation expanding the health and long-term care benefits America's veteran's receive, improving veterans education benefits, and expediting claims processing. In 2002, Brown received the endorsement of the Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC, and a "Legislative Leadership Award" from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

ENVIRONMENT

Brown has also fought to protect environmental resources in her district and across the country. Because of her advocacy, Brown has received accolades by the National Parks and Conservation Association, the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters, and Florida PIRG. One of the most important environmental successes for Brown was securing the American Heritage River designation for the St. Johns River, which spans the length of the Third District. This designation was awarded to 14 rivers across the country and it has been highly beneficial for the St. Johns River community. In addition to bringing together communities from Orlando to Jacksonville, the AHR designation has helped these communities win federal resources to improve the river’s quality. Brown also led the effort in Congress to have Lake Apopka included in the additional list of lakes added to the Clean Lakes Program.

WORKING FAMILIES

Since coming to Congress, Congresswoman Brown has repeatedly fought for the issues that are critical to working families. Whether it’s fighting for improvements in public education or quality child care, Brown has always voted to protect working families. She joined the fight to add 100,000 new teachers to our schools and she has repeatedly fought for an increase in the minimum wage. She fought to pass the Family and Medical Leave Act and she joined President Clinton in supporting the effort to put 100,000 new police officers on the street. As a result, crime is down in neighborhoods throughout Florida.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Congresswoman Brown served in the Florida House of Representatives for ten years before coming to Washington. Congresswoman Brown attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. She also received a Master’s Degree and an Education Specialist Degree from the University of Florida, and she received an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Edward Waters College. She has been a faculty member at Florida Community College of Jacksonville, the University of Florida, and Edward Waters College. Her daughter, Shantrel Brown, is a lawyer in Washington.