Photograph included in the Exhibit: Firsts, Seconds and Thirds: African American Leaders in Los Angeles During the 1960s and '70s from the Rolland J. Curtis Collection. 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.; Elected in 1963, Billy G. Mills (1929-) was the third African American to serve on the Los Angeles City Council, a seat he held until 1974 when he became a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. He was the first African American chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee, winning over fellow Councilman Tom Bradley by just three votes. Louis Armstrong smiles brightly as he receives his resolution on the 50th anniversary of his music career. City councilman, Billy Mills (to the right) shares a smile with Louis Armstrong as they both hold Armstrong's resolution which reads as followed: "Louis Armstrong internationally renowned trumpeter, has taken his unique brand of artistry around the world in the interest of better understanding the goodwill, and from an obscure beginning in New Orleans as the son of a housemaid and turpentine worker, Louis Armstrong has endeared himself and his country to people throughout the world, gaining the title of 'Ambassador of Goodwill;' and Louis Armstrong's colorful and successful career spans fifty years as a showman, comedian, screen and stage star, musician and singer; and he has developed a style over the years by hardening his lip and jaw muscles and using abdominal pressure to the point where he can strike and hold a high C.. frequently even high F and G.. for a greater length of time than any living jazz trumpeter; and his tonal quality surpasses in power that of all other jazz players; and Louis Armstrong has recorded more than 1000 records since 1923 including 'Chinatown,' 'Tiger Rag,' 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love,' 'Treasure Island,' 'Ain't Misbehavin,' 'You Rascal, You,' and 'Kiss To Build A Dream On;' and he has composed some twenty tunes, of which his favorites are 'If We Never Meet Again,' and 'Struttin With Some Barbeque;' Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Los Angeles City Council by the adoption of this resolution congratulates Louis Armstrong on the occasion of his 50th anniversary in show business and extends its heartiest good wishes for continued health and happiness." Photograph dated October 26, 1966. See images 00119441 through 00119447 and 00138046 through 00138049 for additional photos in this series.
Type
image
Format
1 negative : safety ; 10 x 13 cm. Photographic safety negatives
Mills, Billy G Armstrong, Louis,--1901-1971 Resolutions City council members African American politicians Jazz musicians Trumpet players Musicians Singers African American men Los Angeles (Calif.)
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