On January 7, 2021 the Los Angeles - Guangzhou Sister City Association and the people of Los Angeles lost a great friend. Thomas J. LaBonge was a great supporter and promoter of friendship between the people of Los Angeles and Guangzhou. He served our city from 2001-2015 representing the 4th District.
Many a past LAGSCA gala event was made more merrier and delightful whenever Tom was invited to the stage to offer a few remarks. Tom left us too soon and will be sorely missed by everyone who had the good fortune to known him.
LA officials remember Councilman Tom LaBonge on one-year anniversary of death
"One year ago, L.A. lost a giant in Tom LaBonge — a true public servant who brought so much passion and decency to the task of building a stronger, safer and fairer Los Angeles,” Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted Friday. “Today, we remember the imprint he left on the a city he loved — and that loved him right back."
Former L.A. Councilman Tom LaBonge, known to many as ‘Mr. Los Angeles,’ dies at 67
"The 39-year veteran of City Hall regularly asked Angelenos to name their favorite L.A. buildings. He handed out calendars featuring his photographs of the city and loaves of pumpkin bread baked by local nuns. He was a champion of Griffith Park, hiking there every day, and worked to expand its size by hundreds of acres."