Description
White House photograph of Vice President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, visiting with the White House Press Secretary James Brady. Brady was permanently disabled during the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan in 1981.
Color photograph, measures 8″ x 10″. Stamped with “Official Photograph / The White House / Washington” on verso, with date code below. Tape residue to verso, previously framed. Inscribed on the white matte: “To Jim Brady, With best wishes. George Bush / Thanks for coming – Barbara.” A great association copy.
James “Jim” Brady (1940-2014) was the White House Press Secretary under President Ronald Reagan. His life took a dramatic turn on March 30, 1981, when he was shot in the head during the attempted assassination of President Reagan. The injury left Brady partially paralyzed and with some cognitive impairment. He remained the White House Press Secretary through the Reagan administration, with others filling the position as “acting” or “deputy” Press Secretaries. As Brady recovered, he became an ardent supporter of gun control. Alongside his wife, Sarah Brady, he dedicated his life to advocating for stricter handgun laws and regulations. This advocacy led to the passage of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act in 1993, which required background checks for handgun purchases from licensed dealers. In 2000, the White House briefing room was renamed the James S. Brady Press Room in his honor.
