Title created by cataloger. Rolland Joseph 'Speedy' Curtis was born in Louisiana in 1922. After serving three years in the Marines during World War II, he and his wife, Gloria, relocated from New Orleans to Los Angeles in 1946. Curtis served four years with the Los Angeles Police Department, but resigned from the force in order to pursue both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from USC. He later became involved in city politics, as an associate of Sam Yorty, and later a field deputy to City Council members Billy Mills and Tom Bradley. He was briefly director of the Model Cities program in 1973. Rolland J. Curtis died in his home in 1979, the victim of a homicide. An affordable housing complex on Exposition Blvd. near Vermont Ave. was named in his honor in 1981, along with a nearby street and park.; Leon Douglas Ralph (1932–2007) was an American politician who served in the California State Assembly from the 55th district from 1967 to 1974, and the California State Assembly from the 48th district from 1974 to 1976. Ralph served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, 1950-1954 and then worked as a logistical analyst for Douglas Aircraft, 1956-1963. Leon Ralph began his political career as an administrative assistant to Speaker of the Assembly Jesse Unruh. He was elected to the State Assembly in 1966 and served until 1976 when he resigned to join the ministery, founding the Interdenominational Church of God of America where he was Bishop. During his term in the Legislature he was a member of the Black Legislative Caucus. In 1988 he made an unsuccessful campaign to return to the Assembly. Ralph died on February 6, 2007 in Long Beach, CA. at the age of 74. California State Assemblyman Leon Ralph is seen sitting atop a Chrysler Plymouth Fury III convertible waving to a crowd of men, women and children standing on the sidewalk during an unidentified parade. There is a sign on the side of the car that reads, "Leon Ralph, State Assemblyman, -- Dist." The three young passengers in the car and the man driving are all unidentified. Several people can be seen on the rooftop of the Bonita Club, which is adjacent to a liquor/grocery store, Big Al's Pool Room, and the Lark Cafe. A Los Angeles Police motorcycle officer can be seen riding in the opposite direction. Photograph circa 1968. See images 00128592, 00128593, and 00143609 through 00143616 for additional photos in this series.
Type
image
Format
1 negative : safety ; 10 x 13 cm. Photographic safety negatives
Ralph, Leon D Chrysler Corporation African American men Men African American women Women African American children Children African American boys Boys African American legislators Legislators Automobiles, Convertible Chauffeurs Parades Spectators Crowds Signs and signboards Business districts Liquor stores Storefronts Stores & shops Smiling Los Angeles (Calif.)
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