[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 41 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              TRIBUTE TO MAYOR OMAR BRADLEY OF COMPTON, CA

                                 ______


                       HON. WALTER R. TUCKER III

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 1994

  Mr. TUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to 
a young man, a native son of the city of Compton, Mayor Omar Bradley.
  Mayor Bradley comes from simple beginnings--To understand him one has 
to trace his origin. He grew up on 131st Street, in Compton, CA, the 
son of Henry and Ovelmar Bradley. As a child, Mayor Bradley developed a 
strong work ethic, working at his fathers gas station until he was 9 
years old. That sense of purpose, discipline, and dedication remained 
alive in him and was demonstrated as he displayed his talents as a 
member of the Centennial High School Football Team. After high school, 
the mayor attended The California State University at Long Beach where 
he majored in radio and television communications.
  Mr. Speaker, there is a saying, ``To teach is to give life to those 
who might otherwise die of ignorance.'' Soon after completing his 
college education, Omar Bradley began to focus on the education of our 
youth. In the 12 years that he has taught high school English, he has 
observed that people, no matter what color they are, have the same life 
experiences and that it is not a question of race; it's about how you 
treat people. That philosophy became evident in 1990 when he ran for 
city council and won. As a councilman, representing the first 
councilmanic district of Compton, Omar Bradley was a tireless advocate 
for our youth. As mayor, that concern still burns deep within his 
heart. When he is not teaching at Lynwood High School, or giving a 
speech, or spending time with his son and daughter, who are 16 and 10, 
Mayor Bradley is likely to be found organizing kids to clean up 
graffiti, helping to instill in them the same work ethic and pride in 
self that was instilled in him at a young age, by his parents. One may 
also find him smoothing a running track, installing a sprinkler system 
in a public facility, cleaning a canal, or personally painting an 
elementary school. The mayor has also founded a volunteer service 
organization called 100 Strong Men, which is dedicated to the uplift of 
the city of Compton, and also serves as a mentor network for young 
black males.
  If an individual is a friend to youth--that individual is an enemy to 
violence and the proponents and perpetrators of violence. If a person 
is a friend to the women of his community--that person is also an enemy 
of those who disrespect and denigrate those women. Mayor Omar Bradley 
is an enemy of those negative forces that permeate our society. Because 
he is an enemy to those that would leave our community in ruin and 
despair--he is my ally and we will stand together.
  Mr. Speaker, I have worked side by side with Omar Bradley, whether we 
were both running for office in the beginning of our political careers 
or working to bring jobs to the city. I have found him to be a sincere 
man, dedicated to the citizenry that elected him, and the village that 
raised him. In the past the mayor and I have had our personal 
differences--and from this day forth--we shall put aside those 
differences and work together toward a brighter future for the city of 
Compton and the citizens that make the city a great place to call home.

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