WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic Rep. George Brown of California, the oldest member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has died at the age of 79, congressional aides said today.
His death overnight, after a lengthy hospitalization, was due to be announced on the House floor later.
The cause of death was given as complications arising from an infection after cardiac surgery.
Brown, who was in his 18th term in Congress, represented the Southern California district of Bernardino-Riverside and was known as an old-style labor liberal, an affable cigar smoker and a good listener.
First elected to the Congress in 1962, Brown opposed America's involvement in the war in Vietnam. He was a scathing critic of Republican attempts to make the federal government leaner and more efficient, asserting that they aimed to destroy vital government programs.
A former chairman of the House Science Committee, Brown used his position to support space exploration and scientific research.
He once said a Republican plan to abolish the Commerce Department ``borders on lunacy'' and accused them of making a mockery of a science bill by cutting programs they did not like.
In recent elections, Republicans have made determined efforts to recapture Brown's seat and are now expected to try again. Brown's district is not considered a safe Democratic seat.
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