- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJames Scott Brady
- Nickname
- The Bear
- James Brady was born on August 29, 1940 in Centralia, Illinois, USA. He was married to Sarah Brady and Sue Beh. He died on August 4, 2014 in Alexandria, Virginia, USA.
- SpousesSarah Brady(July 21, 1973 - August 4, 2014) (his death, 1 child)Sue Beh(1961 - 1968) (divorced, 1 child)
- Held several positions in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, serving as special assistant to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, James T. Lynn, from 1973 to 1975; as special assistant to the director of the Office of Management and Budget from 1975 to 1976; and as an assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, from 1976 to 1977.
- White House press secretary for President Ronald Reagan who was shot in the head during John Hinckley Jr.'s unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Reagan in March 1981. The bullet severely damaged the right side of Brady's brain, leaving his left arm and leg paralyzed, impairing his short-term memory, and slightly slurring his speech. As a result, he challenged the powerful gun lobby, the National Rifle Association, by lobbying Congress to enact the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (popularly known as "the Brady Bill"), to demand a seven-day waiting period for handgun purchases so that local police can conduct background checks on purchasers. The bill was passed by both houses of Congress in mid-1991.
- Member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity
- [on the National Rifle Association's complaint to Congress that a seven-day waiting period would inconvenience "legitimate" gun buyers] I need help getting out of bed, help taking a shower, and help getting dressed, and -- damn it -- I need help going to the bathroom . . . I guess I'm paying for their "convenience".
- [in New York Newsday, 9 May 1991, about witnessing the passage of the Brady Bill from his wheelchair in the House of Representatives' visitors' gallery] I told [President Ronald Reagan] when I called him this evening [to tell him the results], "The truth wins out". The truth always wins out. And the little guys won. This is not gun control. It's crime control.
- [on Congress-woman Gabrielle Giffords] On that day Gabby Giffords first spoke out so eloquently about the tragedy in Newton, Connecticut and her commitment to the issue of reducing gun violence, I knew the movement would see not just a fleeting success. I heard in her voice and that of her husband Mark the sincerity and determination to make this a long-term commitment. This issue is unlike all others, as it takes those very qualities to fight the large gun lobby with its unending source of revenue. It is indeed David vs. Goliath. Gabby has all the qualities it takes ..to show us what a David she is.
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