Willard H. Murray Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willard Murray
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| Member of the California State Assembly from the 52nd district |
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| In office December 7, 1992 - November 30, 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Horcher |
| Succeeded by | Carl Washington |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 54th district |
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| In office December 5, 1988 – November 30, 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Paul E. Zeltner |
| Succeeded by | Betty Karnette |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 1, 1931 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | December 20, 2021 (aged 90) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Barbara Farris (m. 1956) |
| Children | Kevin and Melinda |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1951–1958 |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
Willard H. Murray Jr. (born January 1, 1931 – died December 20, 2021) was an American politician. He served in the California State Assembly from 1988 to 1996. The California State Assembly is a group of elected officials who make laws for the state.
In 1996, Murray tried to become a member of the U.S. Congress but did not win. After this, he left the Assembly because of "term limits." Term limits mean that a politician can only serve for a certain number of years.
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Willard Murray's Start in Politics
Willard Murray first worked as an engineer in the 1950s. In the 1960s, he became involved in politics. This was during the Civil Rights Movement, a time when people worked for equal rights for all.
He worked for city leaders in Los Angeles, like Robert Farrell and Billy Mills. He also advised state leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Mervyn Dymally. A Lieutenant Governor is the second-highest official in a state government.
What Murray Focused On
As a politician, Murray cared about many important issues. He worked to improve education for students. He also focused on making communities safer and helping the economy grow.
Murray was also passionate about helping families. He supported programs for homeless veterans. He also worked to provide healthcare for poor children and pregnant mothers.
Willard Murray's Achievements
Murray helped create the first Institute on the Preservation of Jazz as an Artform. This institute, located at California State University, Long Beach, helps keep jazz music alive. He also started the Center for African-American Educational Excellence and Achievement at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
He helped write a law to create reading programs for people in prison. These programs aimed to help inmates learn to read. This was meant to help them avoid returning to prison after release. In 1997, a part of State Route 91 in California was named after him. This was a way to honor his work.
Willard Murray's Family Life
Willard Murray was married to Barbara Murray. They had two children together. Their son, Kevin, also became a state senator in California. Their daughter, Melinda, worked as a lawyer for Los Angeles County. Willard Murray passed away in 2021 at the age of 90.
