Page 4 - The Illinois Sig - Fall 2014

A Tribute to Two Sigs: Men Who Changed the World John “Pat” Harmon ’39 James S. Brady ’62 enowned sports retiring in 1985, he he affable, witty Rwriter and fellow started his 20-year Tpress secretary Kappa Kappa, tenure as historian and fellow Kappa passed away last of The National Kappa who survived spring at the age Football Foundation a devastating of 97. Pat retired & College Hall of head wound in the in 2005 after 70 Fame in 1986. His 1981 assassination years of writing. illustrious career attempt on President “Harmon began his career as a sports writer and editor Ronald Reagan and in 1933 covering events at included covering such greats undertook a personal age 17 for the Freeport (Ill.) as Vince Lombardi, Pete crusade for gun Journal Standard during the Rose, Casey Stengel, Arnold control, passed away Depression era. Palmer, Eddie Robinson, John in August. Brady was He would hitchhike to Wooden, Bear Bryant, Jack one of four people President-elect Ronald Reagan introduces James Brady as his games, sleep on wrestling mats Nicklaus, Woody Hayes, Paul hurt in Reagan’s press secretary in Washington, January 6, 1981. in gyms of teams he covered, Brown and Joe Louis. shooting by John was fercely fought over for years and break into the food lines of Harmon may be best Hinckley outside a Washington before Congress approved it and teams. He later found a home known for inaugurating the hotel. Suffering a head wound, it President Bill Clinton signed it into in Cincinnati and served as a selection of the Illinois All- was erroneously reported at one law in 1993. It requires background sports editor and columnist State high school football point that Brady had died. He was, checks for gun purchases. Brady for the Cincinnati Post for and basketball teams. He however, left partially paralyzed was a recipient of the Presidential over 34 years, starting in served as the president of the and confned to a wheelchair for Medal of Freedom, the highest 1951” (Burgess, 2013). After Football Writers Association the rest of his life. civilian award. The White House of America (FWAA) in press briefng room 1984. The FWAA honored also was named in him in 2004 with their Bert his honor. President McGrane Award, which Barack Obama they bestow on a member praised Brady’s who has performed great legacy. “Jim is a service to the organization legend at the White and the game of college House for his warmth football. The NFF also and professionalism honored him with its 2004 as press secretary for Outstanding Contribution President Reagan; to Amateur Football Award. for the strength he Pat leaves behind his wife brought to bear in of 73 years, Anna Worland recovering from Harmon, their 11 children, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan with the shooting that 33 devoted grandchildren Press Secretary James Brady at the opening of the new White nearly killed him 33 House press center in November, 1981, just seven months after and 17 great-grandchildren. the failed assassination attempt on Reagan’s life. years ago; and for Pat, you will be greatly turning the events missed, but your legacy Reagan, severely wounded as of that terrible afternoon into a will live on. well, also survived the attack and remarkable legacy of service,” served two terms as President. Obama said in a statement. Hinckley was found not guilty by Chapter Eternal reason of insanity in the shooting and has spent the ensuing years We are saddened to learn of the passing of the in a psychiatric hospital. After following Kappa Kappa brothers. leaving the White House, Brady Myron S. Pfeifer ’43 Jerry H. Kats ’53 launched the William A. Mulvay ’46 James D. McLaughlin ’54 Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Herbert J. Rowe ’48 Bruce F. Hart ’60 Violence, which pushes for stricter Phillip A. DeCamp ’49 James S. Brady ’62 frearms laws. President Barack Obama stops by Press Secretary Jay Carney’s He inspired the meeting with James Brady in Carney’s West Wing offce at the White House, March 30, 2011. Also pictured are Brady’s wife Sarah, David A. Kane ’74 Brady Bill, which right, and son Scott, center. 4