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Samuel William Yorty

Sam Yorty
SamYorty.jpg
37th Mayor of Los Angeles
In office
July 1, 1961 – July 1, 1973
Preceded by C. Norris Poulson
Succeeded by Tom Bradley
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 26th district
In office
January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1955
Preceded by District created
Succeeded by James Roosevelt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 14th district
In office
January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1953
Preceded by Helen G. Douglas
Succeeded by Harlan Hagen
Member of the
California State Assembly
In office
1949–1950
In office
1937–1941
Personal details
Born Samuel William Yorty
October 1, 1909
Lincoln, Nebraska
Died June 5, 1998(1998-06-05) (aged 88)
Los Angeles, California
Resting place Ashes scattered at the Pacific Ocean
Political party Democratic (until 1980), Republican (from 1980)
Profession Politician
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Army Air Corps
Rank US-O3 insignia.svg Captain
Unit Intelligence Corps
Battles/wars World War II Pacific Theater

Samuel William "Sam" Yorty (October 1, 1909 – June 5, 1998) was a politician from Los Angeles, California. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives and the California State Assembly, but he is most remembered for his turbulent three terms as the 37th Mayor of Los Angeles from 1961 to 1973. The colorful “Mayor Sam” earned numerous nicknames from both admirers and detractors, such as Travelin’ Sam, Airplane Sam, Shoot-From-the-Lip Sam, the Maverick Mayor, Mad Sam Yorty, Scrappy Sam, Suitcase Sam, Saigon Sam, and the Reform Republican.

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Frank Patrick and Johanna (Egan) Yorty, he began his political education as the son of a Democratic father in a Republican state, with a mother who also showed a strong interest in politics. The family moved to Southern California when Yorty completed high school. He retained his Midwestern inflection and was known for pronouncing the city's name as “Los Ang-gah-leez.”

Yorty enrolled at Southwestern University and later the University of California at Los Angeles, working for a time at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. He was admitted to the bar in 1939.

Elected as a Democrat to the California State Assembly in 1936, Yorty established himself as a politician with integrity, but watched his popularity plummet when he reported a bribery attempt on a pending bill. Yorty advocated state ownership of public utilities and strong labor unions, showing a liberal approach to politics. His support of the Republicans in Spain's civil war against General Francisco Franco, and his fight against using the California Highway Patrol to end labor strikes helped earn him support of the local Communist Party United States of America organization.


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