[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 29, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ON THE DEATH OF TOM BRADLEY

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, for me, this is a sad day. Someone in 
politics whom I have very much respected passed away this morning, and 
that was Tom Bradley, former mayor of Los Angeles. Tom was one of 
America's finest mayors, a tireless advocate on behalf of the cities of 
America. I had an opportunity to work closely with him during the 1980s 
when we were both mayors.
  I saw firsthand how he would go about solving a problem. He was kind 
and gentle, but he was tenacious about promoting the city of Los 
Angeles that he so deeply loved.
  He leaves a rich legacy for Los Angeles and for the entire State of 
California. No Californian--and particularly no Los Angeleno--will ever 
forget the pride of hosting the 1984 Olympics. Tom Bradley showed that 
an American city could host a profitable and spirited Olympic ceremony.
  His other accomplishments are many: Bringing public rail 
transportation to his city; building an international airport--Tom 
Bradley Airport--and a port that generated hundreds of thousands of 
jobs for the region; opening the doors of city government so that city 
workers reflected the rich cultural diversity of Los Angeles.
  One particular vision I have of Tom Bradley which I will never forget 
is when we met, of all places, on the Great Wall of China as mayors in 
June of 1979. I was there to secure a sister city relationship between 
San Francisco and the city of Shanghai. While San Francisco got that 
relationship, Tom Bradley went right out and secured a similar 
relationship between Los Angeles and Guangzhou.
  Tom knew the importance that the Pacific Rim would play in his city's 
future and he would literally travel anywhere in the world to help 
promote the city. He was a forceful and successful advocate for the 
cities of America every time cities needed a strong voice. His presence 
was matched by a wonderful and soft gentleness that I, personally, will 
never forget.
  My deepest sorrow goes to his family and to his many friends. Mr. 
President, I know we all will do our part to see that Tom Bradley's 
vision for Los Angeles lives on and on for generations to come.

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