They stand about three feet tall.
They are growing in eastern Pennsylvania.

That looks like Farfugium japonicum 'Giganteum', giant leopard plant.

Here is a link that might be useful: Farfugium japonicum 'Giganteum', giant leopard plant

Ooh, that just might be it, or its cousin. The leaves on my brother's plant are a bit larger than 15" and not glossy, but the shape looks like a match.

Thank you!

Hm. He says it doesn't flower like that. From our IM conversation:

"before the leaves come out of the ground there are 8" tall flower cones"
"right now they are 4' tall+ and leaves are at least 24"
"the stalks are celery like"

one of the gunneras?

Hmmm...Then how about Petasites japonicus giganteus?

Here is a link that might be useful: Petasites japonicus giganteus

Hm, maybe...
Here are a few more pictures, with a yardstick for scale:
http://i.imgur.com/tvY9x.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Xs73v.jpg

We have a winner! My brother says the Petasites japonicus giganteus is a match.
Thank you so much!

Now to figure out if he can mail me one here in Oregon :)

The ONE time I don't read everything closely before I say something, I should have. Gunnera would be extremely unlikely in PA. Sorry for the "no way" input, I try not to do that.

binki, your zone info changed twice during this thread, but if you are in Portland, and you like giant leaves, you could probably grow gunnera.

Yes, definitely looks like fuki (Japanese common name).

I'm in Portland. It keeps resetting to my old zone. I will fix.
Thank you very much for the answers!

Portland is in USDA 8.

Yes it is the Petasites Japonicus Giganteus. I have been trying to get rid of it for 5 years now. It takes over all other plants and will soon be the only thing you see in your gardens. Do not let this plant get established. You will be spending more time in your gardens with a shovel than you want to.