house resolution no.232

The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:

A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Mary Carney Brown, former member of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Whereas, It was with great sorrow that the members of the House of Representatives learned about the passing of Mary Brown. She will be remembered as an accomplished legislator who was passionate about improving the lives of her constituents in the Kalamazoo area and the people of the state of Michigan; and

Whereas, Mary Brown was born in Midland in 1935. After graduating from Midland Public Schools, she attended Albion College and Syracuse University and earned degrees in recreation and physical education. She worked as an assistant professor at Western Michigan University from 1965 until her election to the House of Representatives in 1976; and

Whereas, Mary Brown completed nine consecutive terms as a member of the House of Representatives. Throughout her impressive 18 years in office, Representative Brown became known as a highly effective legislator who tirelessly advocated for issues that she believed in, such as women’s rights and environmental protection. She was instrumental in the passage of the Married Women’s Property Act, more stringent sentencing guidelines in rape cases, state implementation of the federal Clean Air Act, and many other policies. Because of her legislative prowess and admirable leadership capabilities, she received numerous awards and honors, such as the Legislator of the Year award from the Michigan Townships Association in 1985 and the Conservationist of the Year award from the Mackinac Chapter of the Sierra Club in 1990; and

Whereas, As a highly respected leader in the Legislature, she was entrusted with leadership roles on several House committees, including chair of the House committees on Insurance; Constitutional Revision and Women’s Rights; and Senior Citizens and Retirement. She served as vice chair of the House Committee on Social Services and Youth as well. She was also a member of the House committees on City Government; Taxation; Towns and Counties; Urban Affairs; Labor; Conservation, Environment, Recreation, and the Great Lakes; Mental Health; The Constitution, Interstate, and Federal Relations; Civil Rights and Women’s Issues; and Human Services and Children. Representative Brown served with distinction as a member of the Joint Senate and House Committee on Legislative Retirement and chair of the House Democratic Caucus; and 

Whereas, In addition to balancing her duties as an elected official, Mary Brown also advocated for her community in other capacities, including as local president of the Kalamazoo Area League of Women Voters, chairperson of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party, charter member of the Kalamazoo Environmental Council, and Governor James Blanchard’s appointee to the Michigan Civil Service Commission’s Comparable Worth Task Force; and

Whereas, After retiring from the House, Mary Brown continued to serve her community through her involvement with numerous non-profit organizations, such as the Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers Council in Kalamazoo, where she mentored hundreds of girls and women. She also served on several local non-profit boards of directors, including the Ministry with Community and Planned Parenthood of South-Central Michigan. In addition, she was twice appointed to the Natural Resources Commission by Governor Jennifer Granholm, where she helped make key state-level natural resources decisions. In 2007, she received the Michigan Environmental Council Helen and William Milliken Distinguished Service Award and was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, Characterized as a "legislative legend," Mary Brown leaves behind a legacy as a fierce, dynamic, and exceedingly capable advocate for others. Her dedication, integrity, and aptitude for working across political lines remain an example for those who have followed her into service. She will also be remembered as a loving wife to her husband and devoted mother to her three children. May her family take comfort in the knowledge that this legislative body shares in their bereavement and that Mary Brown’s efforts will long continue to enrich our state; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Mary Carney Brown, a member of the House of Representatives from 1977 to 1994; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Brown family as evidence of our lasting esteem for her memory.