Often called "The Father of the Mackinac Bridge," Brown grew up beside the Straits of Mackinac and from boyhood envisioned a bridge that would link Michigan's two peninsulas. He devoted his skill and resources unselfishly toward that end for some 30 years prior to the opening in 1957 of the great twin-towered suspension structure that ranks among the world's outstanding engineering achievements. Brown served as chairman of the Mackinac Bridge Authority from its inception in 1950 until his death in 1973. He was a staunch supporter of sound highway programs throughout his legislative career, first in the U.S. House (1933-1936) and then the U.S. Senate (1936-1943).