[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1991-E1992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF MAYOR TOM BRADLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to salute the life of Mayor 
Tom Bradley--a great American and great Angelino.
  He was a pioneer and a peacemaker. He was tenacious and 
compassionate. He was a coalition builder who fought for Justice and 
racial tolerance. Tom Bradley was truly a remarkable man whose 
historic, 20-year leadership of Los Angeles left an indelible mark on 
our lives.
  It is indeed a testament to the strength of his character and to our 
democracy that the

[[Page E1992]]

grandson of a slave, and son of a sharecropper, could end up as the 
first African-American mayor of the Nation's second largest city. 
Before reaching the pinnacle of political power in Los Angeles, 
Bradley's career was as varied as the city he would later represent. In 
1940, Tom Bradley began his career as a Los Angeles police officer and 
became a lieutenant--no small task in an era of segregation. In 1956, 
he earned his law degree from Southwestern Law School. Five years 
later, he left the force to practice law. He launched his political 
career in 1963 when he won a seat on the City Council. Ten years later, 
Tom Bradley was elected mayor.
  During his leadership of the city, minorities and women were brought 
into city government in record numbers. He transformed L.A. into a 
bustling metropolis. It was under his mayoral tenure that Los Angeles 
emerged as a national transportation hub and financial center that it 
is today.
  Mayor Bradley made a difference in the lives of Angelinos. His legacy 
is firmly established. The city is a far better place because of the 
political leadership and contributions of this immensely talented and 
courageous man.
  God bless you Tom Bradley.

                          ____________________