James Brady
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Scott “Jim” Brady (born August 29, 1940) was Assistant to the President and White House Press Secretary under President Ronald Reagan. After nearly being killed and becoming permanently disabled as a result of an assassination attempt on Reagan in 1981, Brady became an ardent supporter of gun control.
Contents |
[edit] Private life
Brady was born in Centralia, Illinois and attended St. Mary Grade School in Centralia, which was right across the street from his house. He joined the Boy Scouts, attained the rank of Eagle Scout, and is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America.
[edit] Early career
In 1962, Brady graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. Brady began his career in public service as a staff member in the office of Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen. During the summer of 1962, he was an Honor Intern at the US Department of Justice Anti-Trust Division.
He held many positions in the private sector, including faculty member at Southern Illinois University (1964–1965), Assistant National Sales Manager and Executive Manager to the President of Lear-Seigler (1965–1966), Director of Legislation and Public Affairs for the Illinois State Medical Society (1966–1968), Whitaker and Baxter's Chicago Office Manager (1968–1969), Executive and Vice President of James and Thomas Advertising and Public Relations (1969–1973).
He then moved to the public sector. In the next few years, he served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (1973–1975), Special Assistant to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (1975–1976), Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (1976–1977), member of the staff of Senator William Roth (1976–1977). He also served as Press Secretary to then presidential candidate John Connally.
[edit] White House Press Secretary
U.S. President Ronald Reagan appointed Brady as his press secretary on January 20, 1981. The White House press briefing room is named in his honor.
[edit] Shooting
Brady was among those shot during John Hinckley, Jr.'s March 30, 1981, assassination attempt on Reagan, suffering a serious head wound. At one point, it was reported in the news media that he had died. This was incorrect, but the wound left him partially paralyzed for life, and a wheelchair user. Brady retained the title of Press Secretary for the duration of Reagan's two terms in office (1981-1989), although he never returned to work following the shooting.
[edit] Handgun control advocate
Brady subsequently led lobbying efforts for stricter handgun control and is in the leadership of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, also known simply as the Brady Bill, was named in his honor.
He and his wife, Sarah, founded the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Sarah and James Brady were each awarded a doctorate degree (of Humane Letters) by Drexel University in 1993.
In 1996, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton, the highest civilian award in the United States.[1]
[edit] References
| Preceded by Jody Powell |
White House Press Secretary 1981-1989 (did not brief the press after March 30, 1981) |
Succeeded by Larry Speakes |
| White House Press Secretaries |  |
|---|---|
| Early • Reinsch • Daniels • Ross • Early • Short • Tubby • Hagerty • Salinger • Reedy • Moyers • Christian • Ziegler • terHorst • Nessen • Powell • Brady • Speakes • Fitzwater • Myers • McCurry • Lockhart • Siewert • Fleischer • McClellan • Snow |
