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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Former Los Angeles City Councilman and California Assemblyman Richard Alatorre has died at the age of 81, city officials announced Tuesday.
Details of his death were unclear. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez announced Alatorre’s death during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Alatorre, who was born in Texas but raised in East Los Angeles, worked as an aide to Assemblyman Walter Karabian before winning election himself in 1972. He served in the Assembly until 1985, when he won a special election to represent Los Angeles City Council District 14.
His victory in that race was seen as a major boost for the Latino community in Los Angeles, as the council had not had a Latino member since the departure of Edward Roybal in 1962.
Alatorre remained on the council until 1999, serving as chairman of the Public Safety and Budget and Finance committees. He also served on the Los Angeles Regional Transportation Commission, which later became the county’s current Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or Metro. He was the first chairman of the MTA and led the creation of the Metro Gold Line and its extension to East Los Angeles.
“Councilman Alatorre was an icon in Los Angeles who paved the way for generations of Latino leaders in Los Angeles and California,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “His fervent advocacy served as a beacon of hope for millions and his dedicated advocacy has resulted in a legacy that will benefit millions more for years to come. I had the honor of knowing Councilman Alatorre and greatly benefited from his advice and guidance based on his prolific experience. My thoughts are with his family on this sad day and with so many Angelenos whose lives were improved by his service.”
Alatorre is survived by his daughter and two sons.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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