IBLC Chair Pryor praises legislative career of State Rep. Charlie Brown

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), today issued the following statement after State Rep. Charlie Brown (D-Gary) announced he would be retiring from service in the Indiana House in 2018:

“To say that Charlie Brown is a giant in the history of the Indiana General Assembly is accurate, both figuratively and literally. Through his more than 30 years of service in the Indiana House, there has been no greater champion of quality health care for all Hoosiers than Rep. Brown. Without him, there would be no Healthy Indiana Plan in our state.

“That just scratches the surface of what he has been able to accomplish in his time here. Just consider the list of programs that bear his imprint: fighting childhood obesity, improving childhood immunization, getting people to stop smoking, offering assistance to seniors in purchasing affordable drugs through the Hoosier Rx program, enabling in-home care through the CHOICE program, and ensuring parity in mental health insurance.

“But please take the time to look beyond health care, and see all those areas that drew Charlie Brown as a champion. I will choose to mention just two: fighting for civil rights for all, and serving as a spokesman for the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for all who live and work in Northwest Indiana. His shadow will loom large over the Statehouse, even after he departs the House chamber for the last time.

“On a personal note, I first met Rep. Brown, or Pops as I have come to call him, in 1995, when I served as his intern. He gave me fatherly advice then and has continued to do so over the years. Not only has he looked out for Hoosiers, but he has personally looked out for me. I am thankful to have worked for him and served with him. He will be missed.”