Clarence Brown is the former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Brown was named Deputy Secretary of Commerce in July 1983 and has served in that position over twice as long as any previous incumbent. Prior to his time at Commerce, Brown served nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and was the leading House Republican spokesman on energy issues in the 1970s. He was also the ranking House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee and on the House Government Operations Committee during his 17 years in Congress.