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A RESOLUTION honoring the life, memory, and accomplishments of the 1
distinguished J. Michael Brown. 2
WHEREAS, John Michael Brown, affectionately known as "J. Michael," was born 3
on May 21, 1949, in Bronx, New York, to John Sylvester Brown and Cora Lewis Brown; 4
and 5
WHEREAS, J. Michael Brown obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science 6
from the City College of New York and later earned his law degree from the University 7
of Louisville Brandeis School of Law; and 8
WHEREAS, J. Michael Brown served his country with dignity and distinction as an 9
officer in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army, earning numerous 10
accolades including the Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary 11
Medal (Korea), Army Aviator Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, 12
and National Defense Service Medal; and 13
WHEREAS, after his military service, J. Michael Brown practiced law, serving as a 14
partner at law first such as Gittleman and Barber, Stites and Harbison, and Wyatt, Tarrant 15
and Combs, as well as serving as Director of Pre-Law and Constitutional Studies at the 16
historically Black Simmons College of Kentucky; and 17
WHEREAS, J. Michael Brown was committed to justice, and his contributions to 18
the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a trailblazing Black public servant were many. He 19
was the first African American to be named to several key roles, including Assistant 20
Commonwealth Attorney for the 30th Judicial District, Deputy Attorney General, and 21
Secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, as well as the first African American 22
President of the Louisville Bar Association; and 23
WHEREAS, J. Michael Brown served on a variety of boards and community 24
associations dedicated to serving and advancing Louisville, Jefferson County, and the 25
Commonwealth of Kentucky as a whole, and his leadership on boards such as the 26
Criminal Justice Association, Kentucky Board of Elections, and the West End 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 1618
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Opportunity Partnership will always be remembered; and 1
WHEREAS, Governor Andy Beshear recognized J. Michael Brown on the sad 2
occasion of his passing, saying that, "His guidance and advice were unmatched, and so 3
was his friendship. Throughout his career, he served our country and state with poise and 4
dignity"; and 5
WHEREAS, J. Michael Brown is survived by his beloved family, including his 6
wife, Joan Elizabeth Brown; his sons, William Brown, J. Michael Brown, Jr., and 7
Matthew Brown; his granddaughters, Javarra Richardson and Sidney Brown; his brother-8
in-law, Robert White; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends; and 9
WHEREAS, J. Michael Brown's legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all 10
who knew and loved him; 11
NOW, THEREFORE, 12
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 13
Kentucky: 14
Section 1. The members of the Senate hereby honor and salute the life, 15
memory, and accomplishments of the distinguished J. Michael Brown. 16
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor and loving 17
memory of J. Michael Brown. 18
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 19
Resolution to Senator Gerald Neal for presentation to the family. 20