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2010 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 342
Celebrating the life of Edward L. Brown, Sr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 5, 2010
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2010

 

WHEREAS, Edward L. Brown, Sr., of Virginia Beach, a respected citizen, past president of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) in the Port of Hampton Roads, and current international vice president, died on February 5, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a native of Norfolk, Edward “Ed” Brown was born September 21, 1926, graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, attended Norfolk State University, and received honorary doctoral degrees from Norfolk State University and Richmond Virginia Seminary; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, Ed Brown served his country in the United States Army and the United States Merchant Marine; and

WHEREAS, Ed Brown was a member of the ILA Local 1248, AFL-CIO, of Norfolk for 53 years and served first as recording secretary and then as president from 1968 to 1985; and

WHEREAS, an inspiration and mentor to his fellow longshoremen, Ed Brown represented about 1,800 retirees and 2,000 active union workers who load and unload the ships at the Port of Hampton Roads; and

WHEREAS, in 1986 Ed Brown was elected international vice president and also served as general vice president of the Atlantic Coast District of the ILA; and

WHEREAS, a man of great integrity and a strong work ethic, Ed Brown was an excellent leader of the ILA and of the Hampton Roads maritime industry, and he was known as a tough and practical negotiator and a forward thinker; and

WHEREAS, Ed Brown generously gave his time and expertise to many civic organizations, including as a member of the National Association of Guardsmen, Inc., and the Eureka Club; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Ed Brown received many awards and accolades, including Man of the Year by the Hunton YMCA in 1984, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Appreciation Award in 1995, and the Distinguished Service Award by the Hampton Roads Maritime Association in 2005; and

WHEREAS, in 2002 the ILA Hampton Roads District Council established the Edward L. Brown, Sr., Endowed Professorship in Management at Norfolk State University in his honor; and

WHEREAS, Ed Brown will be fondly remembered as a father-figure to many of his workers, a good and loyal friend, and a devoted family man and will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 49 years, Yvonne H. Brown; his son, Edward L. Brown, Jr., and his four daughters, Judy Brown, Valerie Brown, Robin Hairston, and Bunny Hairston, and their families, including his 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding union leader and fine Virginian, Edward L. Brown, Sr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Edward L. Brown, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.