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Tom Bradley
Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley meets with Rodolfo Escalera (Crop).jpg
Tom Bradley in 1984
38th Mayor of Los Angeles
In office
July 1, 1973 – July 1, 1993
Preceded by Sam Yorty
Succeeded by Richard Riordan
Personal details
Born (1917-12-29)December 29, 1917
Calvert, Texas, U.S.
Died September 29, 1998(1998-09-29) (aged 80)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse Ethel Arnold
Children Phyllis Bradley
Lorraine Bradley
Residences Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater University of California, Los Angeles (B.A)
Southwestern Law School (J.D)
Military service
Allegiance City of Los Angeles
Branch/service Seal of the Los Angeles Police Department.png Los Angeles Police
Department
Years of service 1940-1961
Rank Lieutenant

Thomas J. "Tom" Bradley (December 29, 1917 – September 29, 1998) was an American politician. He was the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles. He served as mayor from 1973 to 1993. He was the only African-American mayor of that city. His 20 years in office make him the longest-serving mayor in Los Angeles history.

Who Was Tom Bradley?

Tom Bradley was a very important leader in Los Angeles. He was known for his long time as mayor. He helped shape the city for two decades.

Early Life and Career

Tom Bradley was born in Calvert, Texas, in 1917. His family later moved to Los Angeles, California. He went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He also studied law at Southwestern Law School.

Before becoming a politician, Bradley was a police officer. He served in the Los Angeles Police Department from 1940 to 1961. He rose through the ranks to become a Lieutenant. This experience helped him understand the city's needs.

Becoming Mayor of Los Angeles

In 1973, Tom Bradley was elected Mayor of Los Angeles. This was a big moment in history. He became the second African-American mayor of a major U.S. city. He was re-elected many times. He served for 20 years, which is a record for Los Angeles mayors.

During his time as mayor, he worked on many projects. He helped Los Angeles grow and become a global city. He focused on things like public transportation and economic development.

Later Years and Legacy

Tom Bradley retired from being mayor in 1993. He had served the city for a very long time. In 1985, he received the Spingarn Medal. This award is given by the NAACP. It honors outstanding achievements by African Americans.

Bradley also ran for Governor of California a couple of times. Even though he didn't win, he was a respected figure in politics.

Tom Bradley passed away in 1998 at the age of 80. He is remembered as a pioneering leader. He helped make Los Angeles the diverse and important city it is today.

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