James Brady facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Scott Brady
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Brady in August 2006
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| 15th White House Press Secretary | |
| In office 1981–1989 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Jody Powell |
| Succeeded by | Larry Speakes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 29, 1940 Centralia, Illinois |
| Died | August 4, 2014 (aged 73) Alexandria, Virginia |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Sue Beh (m. 1961–1968)
(divorced)Sarah Brady (m. 1973–2014)
(his death) |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
James Scott "Jim" Brady (August 29, 1940 – August 4, 2014) was an American journalist, politician, and activist. He was an assistant to the President and White House Press Secretary under U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Contents
Early life
Brady was born in Centralia, Illinois on August 29, 1940 to Harold J. Brady and to Dorothy (née Davidson). He studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Career
Brady became Ronald Reagan's White House Press Secretary in 1981.
Near death
Brady was nearly killed after a few weeks after becoming Press Secretary. President Reagan was also injured. Since then, he became disabled as a result of an assassination attempt on Reagan in 1981 caused by John Hinckley.
Gun control
After Brady's near death, he and his wife, Sarah, became a supporter of gun control. He was also an activist for gun control.
Together with his wife, Sarah, who served as Chair of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, formerly known as Handgun Control, Inc., co-founded by N.T. Pete Shields, Brady quickly fought for handgun control and assault weapon restrictions. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, also known simply as "the Brady Bill", was named in his honor.
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
In 2000, the Press Briefing Room at the White House was renamed after Brady as the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.
Personal life
Brady married Sue Beh in 1961. That marriage ended in divorce in 1968. Brady married secondly, to Sarah, in 1973; the couple had two children, Scott and Melissa.
Death
Brady died on August 4, 2014 in Alexandria, Virginia, aged 73. His death has been said to be a homicide caused by the gunshot wound he received in 1981, about 33 years ago.
Images for kids
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President George W. Bush hosts six White House Press Secretaries, including James Brady (second from the right) with his wife Sarah Brady (far right), before the Press Briefing Room underwent renovation (August 2, 2006)
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James Brady Press Briefing Room 2007
