Congressman
Henry E. Brown, Jr.

News

November 10, 2008
Making Veterans a Priority 365 Days a Year
WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC) made the following statement regarding America’s bravest citizens as he and the rest of the nation celebrated our Veteran’s individual sacrifices on this Veterans Day: Full Story »

October 16, 2008
MOVING WALL Arrives in Lowcountry
CHARLESTON, SC – The Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, has arrived in the Lowcountry.  Area Vietnam Era veterans will be honored this Saturday at a ceremony to coincide with the wall’s visit.  The scheduling of the Moving Wall and the recognition ceremony has been organized by Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) with the support of area veterans’ service organization (VSOs).  Explaining the significance of these events, Brown said, Full Story »

September 26, 2008
Brown Helps Send ALS Registry Act to President
WASHINGTON, DC – This week, both the House and the Senate passed legislation that will establish a new system to collect data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as ‘Lou Gehrig's Disease. This legislation, S. 1382, mirrors legislation (H.R. 2295) originally cosponsored by Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC). The national ALS registry builds upon a registry started through the Department of Veterans affairs that was focused on veterans with ALS.  The data collected by this registry was important in this week’s decision by the VA to designate ALS as a service connected disability under the VA disability system.  In praising the passage of the ALS Registry Act, legislation championed by Charleston’s General Thomas Mikolajcik, Congressman Brown made the following statement: Full Story »

September 23, 2008
Veterans' Affairs Implements Brown/Mikolajcik ALS Proposal
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) issued new regulations establishing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as ‘Lou Gehrig's Disease,’ as a service connected disability. The VA’s actions come after years of work by Charleston resident General Thomas Mikolajcik, Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (R-SC) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who advocated this important change to the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs, James Peake, and veterans’ committees in Congress.  In praising today’s announcement, Congressman Brown said:  Full Story »

September 10, 2008
Brown Continues to Support Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined today with the House of Representatives in support of two pieces of legislation to address the needs of our nation’s veterans.  The Rural Veterans Access to Care Act (H.R. 1527) establishes a three year pilot program to allow highly rural veterans, who are enrolled with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA health care provider.  Congressman Brown, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health during the 109th Congress, held numerous hearings on health care issues facing rural veterans and today’s bill represents the next step in addressing the unique needs of these rural veterans.  The House also sent S.2617, which provides an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) to the rate of veterans’ disability compensation payments and other VA benefits, to the President for his signature today.  While the final COLA amount has yet to be set, it is estimated that it will provide veterans with a 2.8 percent increase in benefits over last year. Full Story »

September 8, 2008
Moving Wall Coming to Lowcountry
CHARLESTON, SC – The Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, is coming to the Lowcountry.  Area Vietnam Era veterans will be honored at a ceremony to coincide with the wall’s visit.  The scheduling of the Moving Wall and the recognition ceremony are being organized by Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) with the support of area veterans’ service organization (VSOs).  Explaining the significance of these events, Brown, said, Full Story »

August 1, 2008
Brown Supports Historic Veterans' Funding Increase
WASHINGTON - Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (SC), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined with a majority of his colleagues in support of legislation to provide funding for our nation’s veterans during the upcoming fiscal year. The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill (H.R. 6599) provides a record high $93.7 billion for all veterans’ programs, including $40.7 billion for veterans’ health programs. Today’s legislation continues Congress’ bipartisan commitment to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans. After passage of the legislation, Brown, a longtime leader in the successful effort to double funding for our veterans since 2001, made the following statement: Full Story »

July 14, 2008
Brown & Graham Applaud Secretary Peake's ALS Decision
WASHINGTON -  U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and U.S. Representative Henry Brown (R-Hanahan) today expressed their support for the decision by Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs James Peake to make amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease,” a service connected disability. Full Story »

June 19, 2008
Brown Greets Sole Surviving WWI Veteran
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (S.C.) attended the reception for World War I veteran Frank Buckles. At 107 years old, Buckles is the only survivor of the more than 2 million U.S. troops sent overseas to fight during the Great War. Full Story »

April 28, 2008
Congressman Brown Welcomes VA Secretary Peake to First District
CHARLESTON, SC – Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (SC) teamed with Congressman Steve Buyer (IN), ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, in welcoming VA Secretary Dr. James B. Peake to the First District as he toured VA facilities in the Charleston area. (photos) Full Story »

March 6, 2008
Congressman Brown Announces Constituent Service Workshops
CHARLESTON –Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. today announced the schedule of workshops for First District constituents seeking assistance with various federal government agencies.  Representatives of the Congressman’s staff and several agencies are expected to participate. Full Story »

September 10, 2007
Congressman Brown Hosts VA Undersecretary
CHARLESTON, SC - Today, Congressman Henry Brown hosted Dr. Michael J. Kussman, Undersecretary for Health for the Veterans Health Administration and provided him with a status update on the ongoing collaborative efforts between the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC and the Medical University of South Carolina. Full Story »

July 26, 2007
Mikolajcik Spotlights ALS Concerns for Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health held an oversight hearing to provide Members an update on scientific research that has been done on Gulf War illnesses.  Testimony focused on the incidence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig’s disease) among Gulf War veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research and treatment of Gulf War illnesses.  Full Story »

May 23, 2007
Representative Brown Backs Legislation Focused on America's Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (SC-01) today joined with a majority of his House colleagues in supporting legislation to enhance benefits and health care for America’s veterans and returning servicemembers.   Full Story »

January 31, 2007
House Passes Measure Supporting 'Hire a Veteran' Week
Washington, Jan 31 - Representative Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) joined with a majority of his House colleagues today in passing legislation calling on the President to establish a national “Hire A Veteran” week to urge all employers to hire more of America’s veterans. The passage of this resolution, which was also introduced by Representative Brown and Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) in the 109th Congress, represents a multi-year effort by Representative Brown to highlight the contributions of our nation’s veterans. Full Story »

Brown's Statement on Continuing Resolution Jan 31, 2007  -   On January 31, 2007, the House of Representatives passed legislation drafted by the Democratic leadership that will fund operations of the federal government through September 30, 2007. Congressman Henry E. Brown (R-SC) made the following statement after the House concluded its action on the... More

January, 2007 Newsletter Jan 30, 2007  -   The 110th Congress was sworn in at noon on Thursday, January 4th. I am honored to begin serving my fourth term as the Representative for the First Congressional District. President Bush delivered his State of the Union address on January 23rd. The President's speech illustrates his conti... More

Congressman Henry Brown's Statement on the President's State of the Union Address Jan 23, 2007  -   Congressman Henry E. Brown Jr. (SC-01) made the following statement concerning President Bush's State of the Union Address: "The President's speech illustrates his continued commitment to addressing our nation's most vital domestic and foreign policy issues. Renewable alternative en... More

Congressman Brown Responds to Call for Additional Troops in Iraq Jan 10, 2007  -   Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) issued the following statement concerning the expected call by President Bush for additional troops to be deployed to Iraq: "President Bush's strategy for Iraq is as important as the number of increased American forces. This plan to increase troop st... More

Congressman Brown, Senator Graham Provide Status Update on VA-MUSC Collaborative Project Dec 16, 2006  -   Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) joined with representatives of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide an end-of-session update on legislation recently passed by Congress providing fo... More

FEMA Announces Federal Funds for Emergency Food and Shelter Programs Dec 13, 2006  -   Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) announced today that federal funds totaling more than $535,000 have been awarded to the five counties that comprise the First Congressional District to help prevent homelessness, and feed and shelter the hungry and homeless. These grants are administere... More

House Passes Veterans Programs Extension Act Dec 6, 2006  -   Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) today spoke in support of H.R. 6342, The Veterans Programs Extension Act of 2006, as the measure passed the House. "This bill would reauthorize health care services for veterans exposed to chemical and biological testing and extends treatment and r... More

House Passes Legislation to Extend Vital Veterans Programs, Expand Elibility for Education and Training Assistance Nov 14, 2006  -   Representative Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) joined with a majority of his House colleagues today in passing legislation to extend a number of important Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs benefiting and providing essential services for our nation's veterans. Under the legislation, gr... More

Congressman Brown Pays Tribute to Nation's Veterans Nov 10, 2006  -   In observance of Veterans' Day, Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) offered a tribute to the nation's veterans for their sacrifices and service in defense of our freedom. "We should all take the opportunity to thank those who have served and those who are presently serving to preserve... More