James Brady

James Scott "Jim" Brady (August 29, 1940 – August 4, 2014) was an American journalist, politician, and activist. He was an assistant to the President and White House Press Secretary under U.S. President Ronald Reagan. 

Early life
Brady was born in Centralia, Illinois on August 29, 1940 to Harold J. Brady and to Dorothy (née Davidson). He studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Career
Brady became Ronald Reagan's White House Press Secretary in 1981.

Near death
Brady was nearly killed a few weeks after becoming Press Secretary. On March 30, 1981 John Hinckley tried to assassinate President Reagan with a gun. Brady was shot in the head and became disabled. 

Gun control
After Brady's near death, he and his wife, Sarah, became a supporter of gun control. He was also an activist for gun control.

Together with his wife, Sarah, who was Chair of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (formerly known as Handgun Control, Inc.), co-founded by N.T. Pete Shields, Brady quickly fought for handgun control and assault weapon restrictions. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, also known simply as "the Brady Bill", was named in his honor.

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
In 2000, the Press Briefing Room at the White House was renamed after Brady as the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room.

Personal life
Brady married Sue Beh in 1961. That marriage ended in divorce in 1968. Brady married Sarah, in 1973; the couple had two children, Scott and Melissa.

Death
Brady died on August 4, 2014 in Alexandria, Virginia, aged 73.Former White House Press Secretary James Brady Dead at 73 His death has been said to be a homicide caused by the gunshot wound he received in 1981, about 33 years before.

References

Other websites



Category:1940 births
Category:2014 deaths
Category:American murder victims
Category:American activists
Category:American crime victims
Category:Politicians from Illinois
Category:Journalists from Illinois
Category:White House Press Secretaries