By Mark F. Gray
AFRO Staff Writer
mgray@afro.com
In the wake of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan taking the unprecedented step to close Maryland’s public schools until March 27, Congressman Anthony Brown (D- 4th District) reacted to the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus from a non-traveling resident of Prince George’s County. A busy week for the Congressman, prior to his statements on COVID-19 in his jurisdiction, Brown endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for President.
“I am confident in our ability as a state to take action in order to protect the health of our neighbors and vulnerable communities,” Brown said in a statement. “Working with Governor Hogan, state and local officials, my office and I will continue to monitor this situation to ensure our public health officials have the resources they need to detect, contain and treat this virus.”
Congressman Brown stressed the public should remain vigilant regarding symptoms such as respiratory distress, especially for those Maryland residents who traveled overseas or may have come in contact with someone who has.
Congressman Anthony Brown (D-4th District) is confident in Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s (R) plan regarding the coronavirus and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nominee. (Courtesy Photo)
“By listening to the advice of health care workers and taking preventative measures, we can all work to avoid potential transmission and further spread,” Brown added. “While this situation is evolving, it is manageable if we prepare, take necessary precautions to avoid unnecessary panic.”
Meanwhile, after remaining silent during the early caucuses and primaries, Brown formally endorsed Bison to represent his party to try and defeat the incumbent Donald J. Trump. Brown, who is Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, said the United States would be “safer and stronger” with Biden as president.
“Vice President Biden is ready for the fight and will put an end to Donald Trump’s divisiveness,” said Brown. “He is our best opportunity to defeat Donald Trump, win the Senate and protect the Democratic majority in the House. Joe has my support and I will work as hard as I can to make sure he’s our next President.”
In a statement released by the Biden campaign, Brown praised the former vice president for being dedicated to protecting the military and feels he is the Democrat’s best candidate to restore the nation’s international credibility and the military’s faith in the office of Commander in Chief.
“We can trust him to keep faith with the men and women who put on the uniform everyday and his temperament and deep experience will make the United States a respected leader on the world stage again,” Brown said.
Brown was a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. During his time as Lt. Governor of Maryland, he was one of the highest ranking public officials to have served in Iraq and earned the Bronze Star. Brown is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The former vice president’s campaign reports that Biden has more Congressional endorsements than his opponent Rep. Bernie Sanders- 60 U.S. Representatives and seven U.S. Senators. Biden supposedly has more political support from Capitol Hill’s minority leadership including the most endorsements from members of both the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus. More than 30 former and current elected officials in Maryland have endorsed Biden, including former Congressman Al Wynn and State Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Jim Rosapepe.