Bradley exits L.A. mayor's office after 20 years - Tom Bradley retires as Richard Riordan takes over as next mayor of Los Angeles, California - Brief Article

Jet, July 19, 1993

After 20 years as mayor of the city of Los Angeles, Tom Bradley passes the torch to millionaire businessman Richard Riordan to lead the city into the 21st Century.

Bradley leaves a legacy of 50 years of public service -- as a police officer, city councilman and mayor. At 75, his tenure has barely changed his appearance or his governing style.

To his credit, Bradley was instrumental in rebuilding Watts, which is still scarred by the 1965 riots, adding more social services, encouraging downtown growth and bringing the profitable 1984 Olympic Games to the city.

Though the L.A. riots of 1992 occurred during his watch, Bradley notes, "Everything that I set out to do 20 years ago, I have accomplished. The Olympics were the major event of my life."

But the riots were, "The most painful experience of my life," Bradley adds.

During inaugural ceremonies, Riordan joked that, "Mayor Tom Bradley looks awfully relieved. I haven't seen him so relaxed in 20 years."

Bradley and Riordan had a chat in City Hall before the ceremony and Bradley said they talked about nothing more serious than paint peeling in his old office, but added that he left the new mayor some notes on his desk.