Jesse Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jesse Brown
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| 2nd United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office January 22, 1993 – July 13, 1997 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Ed Derwinski |
| Succeeded by | Togo West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 27, 1944 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | August 15, 2002 (aged 58) Warrenton, Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sylvia Scott |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | City Colleges of Chicago Roosevelt University Catholic University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1963–1965 |
| Rank |  Corporal |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Jesse Brown (born March 27, 1944, died August 15, 2002) was an important person who helped military veterans. He was a Marine and later became the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, working for President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997. This job meant he was in charge of a big government department that supports veterans.
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Jesse Brown's Early Life
Jesse Brown was born on March 27, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were Lucille Marsh Brown and David Brown. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois.
He studied at the City Colleges of Chicago and graduated with honors. Jesse Brown married Sylvia Scott Brown, and they had two children, N. Scott Brown and Carmen Brown.
Military Service and Injury
In 1963, Jesse Brown joined the United States Marine Corps. He served as a Marine during the Vietnam War. He reached the rank of corporal.
In 1965, he was seriously injured near Da Nang. He was shot in his right arm, which caused it to be partly paralyzed.
After his military service, Jesse Brown returned to Chicago. In 1967, he became involved with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). This group helps veterans who have disabilities. He also started taking classes at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Later, he moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the DAV's national office. While there, he continued his studies at The Catholic University of America.
Helping Veterans
Jesse Brown spent many years working to help veterans.
Working with Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
In 1967, Jesse Brown joined the staff of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). The DAV is an organization that helps disabled veterans. He held several important jobs with the DAV during the 1970s and 1980s:
- In 1973, he became the supervisor of the National Service Office in Washington, D.C.
- In 1976, he supervised the National Appeals Office.
- In 1981, he became the Chief of Claims for the National Service and Legislative Headquarters.
- In 1983, he was named Deputy National Service Director.
In 1988, Jesse Brown made history. He became the DAV's first African-American executive director. He held this important role until 1993.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
In January 1993, President Bill Clinton chose Jesse Brown for a very important job. He became the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He served in this role until July 1997.
Jesse Brown was the first African American to hold this position. He was also the first person who had served as an enlisted member of the U.S. Armed Forces to become Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
During his time as Secretary, Jesse Brown worked to improve services for many groups. He expanded help for female veterans, veterans who were experiencing homelessness, and those who became ill from chemical exposures during the Vietnam War or the Gulf War. After he left his government job, Brown started his own consulting company called Brown and Associates.
Memorial for Disabled Veterans
Jesse Brown was one of three key people who helped create the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. This national memorial is in Washington, D.C. It honors all disabled veterans.
In 1998, a kind person named Lois Pope realized there was no memorial for disabled veterans. She called Jesse Brown's office to ask for a memorial. After many calls, Brown agreed to support the idea. He introduced Pope to Art Wilson, who was a leader at the DAV.
Brown, Pope, and Wilson worked together to create a new foundation. This foundation was called the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Foundation. Jesse Brown became its executive director and worked on this project until he passed away.
They worked hard to get Congress to approve the memorial. President Clinton signed the bill into law in 2000. After raising money for ten years, construction began in 2011. President Barack Obama dedicated the memorial on October 5, 2014. Two quotes from Jesse Brown are carved into the memorial.
Passing Away
Jesse Brown died in Warrenton, Virginia, on August 15, 2002. He had a serious illness called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. He had been diagnosed with ALS in 1999.
His funeral was held at the Washington National Cathedral. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Jesse Brown was survived by his wife, Sylvia, and his children, Carmen and Scott.
Honoring Jesse Brown
The DAV created the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship to honor him. Each year, eight scholarships are given to young volunteers (aged 21 or younger). These young people must have helped disabled veterans and supported their rights. The scholarships are for different amounts:
- One scholarship of $20,000
- One scholarship of $15,000
- One scholarship of $10,000
- Two scholarships of $7,500
- Three scholarships of $5,000
You can find applications at www.davscholarships.org.
In May 2004, the West Side VA Medical Center in Chicago was renamed the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in his honor.
See also
- Disabled American Veterans
- List of African-American United States Cabinet members
- Vietnam Veterans of America
