Byrd R. Brown, a former Pittsburgh mayoral candidate and NAACP president who fought to bring down racial barriers in government and the private sector, died Thursday after a long illness. 'Byrd was a warrior,' said Harvey Adams Jr., a childhood friend and also a former NAACP president. 'Byrd was a winner, and he was a natural leader.' Adams said Mr. Brown, whose father, Homer S. Brown, was the first black judge in Pennsylvania, the first black state legislator and himself a former NAACP president, 'should be immortalized in the memories of young people.'

Byrd Brown, 71, a lawyer, was a lifelong Pittsburgh resident and a graduate of Yale University. He was president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for 12 years. He led the Pittsburgh contingent to the 1963 March on Washington, D.C., and was a founder of the United Negro Protest Committee and the Black Construction Coalition. Less than two weeks ago, Mr. Brown was lionized as one of the architects of the Freedom Corner monument because of his role as a leader of many of protests and demonstrations that began in the Hill District. He died on the same day as the NAACP Freedom Fund dinner, which was founded by his mother, Wilhelmina Byrd Brown, 47 years ago. In a February 1998 interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Mr. Brown said he and others in his family considered it their duty to further the cause of black people. 'That's what we are about - trying to ameliorate this awful race problem,' he said. 'Pittsburgh has lost a giant,' said Commonwealth Court Judge Doris A. Smith, who was a partner in Mr. Brown's law firm. 'He was the person who raised the consciousness of the city, of his people as well as whites. He raised issues that many others would not, dared not, but he was listened to because of who he was.' 'Byrd was my friend of more than 30 years,' said current local NAACP President Tim Stevens. 'He brought me into the NAACP family. I have attempted to emulate Byrd's independence, always keeping the integrity of the NAACP in front of me.' Mr. Brown's contemporaries in the civil rights movement say they'll miss his intelligence, courage and integrity. 'Byrd was a very courageous man,' said the Rev. Jimmy Joe Robinson, who marched with Mr. Brown. 'Byrd was just straight up. When he gave his word, even when it came down to some real serious stuff, you could always count on Byrd. I trusted him.' Nate Smith, who spearheaded Operation Dig, which fought for jobs for blacks in the construction industry, said: 'He was a great man, an up-front man. He went to trial for me several times and never charged me a nickel.' Smith said he and Mr. Brown traveled some of the same roads, even taking up boxing together at the Kay Boys Club. 'We laughed about it,' Smith said. 'He went to Yale, and I went to jail.' Smith said Mr. Brown pushed him to the front of some protests, preferring to stay in the background. 'He told me, 'Nate, if you go to jail, I can get you out. If I go to jail, you can't get me out.'' Mr. Brown was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor in 1989. He finished fourth and blamed his defeat, in part, on racism. 'Byrd Brown was certainly a civic-minded individual. He was a prominent citizen and much respected. I thought very highly of him,' said former Mayor Sophie Masloff. 'Byrd Brown was a tremendous leader for our city, and we are all saddened by his passing. Our thoughts are with his family,' said Craig Kwiecinski, a spokesman for Mayor Tom Murphy. 'Pittsburgh has lost an outstanding human being... and his legacy will be legend,' said City Council President Bob O'Connor. 'Byrd Brown was an enormously capable man. He was intelligent, articulate and a very effective leader. He was dedicated to his community. His vision and wise counsel will be missed,' said County Executive Jim Roddey in a prepared statement. 'I stand on the shoulders of Byrd and others who were leaders in forging change,' said the Rev. James Simms, county councilman. 'I am deeply grieved by his passing. At the same time we have a legacy that he's left to us, to keep fighting for an open society.' 'He was born into activism.' said attorney Joseph K. Williams III, who is president of the Homer S. Brown Law Association. 'He never turned down anything for the NAACP.' Mr. Brown is survived by his wife, Barbara, and his daughters, Courtlyn and Patricia. The viewing will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2001 Wylie Ave., Hill District. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers and contributions, donations be made to the Wilhelmina Byrd Brown NAACP Scholarship Fund. Lou Ransom can be reached at lransom@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7886. Staff writers Brian Nearing and David Brown contributed to this report.

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