H. S. (HANK) BROWN

1920 - 2015 

H.S. (Hank) Brown has been active in the Texas Labor Movement since he was initiated as a journeyman plumber in the San Antonio Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 142 in 1943.

Brother Brown was elected Business Manager in UAPP Local 142 in 1946. He became the Education and Research Director of the Texas Federation of Labor in 1953, and continued in that position with the Texas AFL-CIO after the merger in 1957. He was elected Executive Secretary of the Texas Building and Construction Trades Council in 1960 and President of the Texas AFL-CIO in 1961.

During his ten-year tenure as President, the Texas AFL-CIO purchased its own headquarters building in Austin, instituted the Women’s Activities Department, the Human Resources Department, and the United Labor Legislature Committee. The Legislature enacted a new workers’ compensation act, a minimum wage law, and voter registration act. 

Brother Brown also served as President of the Texas Pipe Trades Association and Vice President of the San Antonio AFL-CIO Council, San Antonio Building Building Trades Council, and the Texas Federation of Labor.