Los Angeles Mayor, Politician. Five-term mayor of Los Angeles, California (1973 to 1993), the city was defined during his leadership. One of five children, he was born in Calvert, Texas and raised in Los Angeles. Athletics became Tom Bradley's stepping stone to achievement. His record in track and football at Los Angeles Polytechnic High School earned him an athletic scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he became the track team's top quarter-miler. After graduation, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), completing a 21 year career ending with his retirement as a lieutenant. He won a seat to the Los Angeles City Council, culminating in election as the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles in 1973, making him the first African-American mayor of the city. He served as the Los Angeles mayor for 20 years, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Upon retirement, Bradley joined a downtown law firm. He was hampered by ill health which resulted in his death from a heart attack at the age of 80. During his political career, he presided over a period of enormous growth leaving a gleaming downtown skyline and the start of a L.A. Metro subway and light-rail system. He diversified politics in the city which allowed for minorities and women to serve on city commissions and hold office and share in Los Angeles city employment. The city was now an international trade center and he brought the Olympic Games to the Memorial Coliseum in 1984 which still ranks as the most successful in history generating a huge profit. Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is named after him.

Los Angeles Mayor, Politician. Five-term mayor of Los Angeles, California (1973 to 1993), the city was defined during his leadership. One of five children, he was born in Calvert, Texas and raised in Los Angeles. Athletics became Tom Bradley's stepping stone to achievement. His record in track and football at Los Angeles Polytechnic High School earned him an athletic scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he became the track team's top quarter-miler. After graduation, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), completing a 21 year career ending with his retirement as a lieutenant. He won a seat to the Los Angeles City Council, culminating in election as the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles in 1973, making him the first African-American mayor of the city. He served as the Los Angeles mayor for 20 years, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Upon retirement, Bradley joined a downtown law firm. He was hampered by ill health which resulted in his death from a heart attack at the age of 80. During his political career, he presided over a period of enormous growth leaving a gleaming downtown skyline and the start of a L.A. Metro subway and light-rail system. He diversified politics in the city which allowed for minorities and women to serve on city commissions and hold office and share in Los Angeles city employment. The city was now an international trade center and he brought the Olympic Games to the Memorial Coliseum in 1984 which still ranks as the most successful in history generating a huge profit. Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is named after him.

Bio by: Paul S.