Los Angeles is mourning the passing of Dr. William A. “Bill” Burke, a pioneering environmental justice leader and the longtime chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Governing Board. Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement today, highlighting his profound impact on the city.
Dr. Burke was the first African American chairman of the South Coast AQMD Governing Board and its longest-serving leader. He dedicated his career to making environmental justice a central mission, advocating for clean air as a basic right for every community. His extensive career also included healthcare, business, civic leadership, and public service, notably founding the Los Angeles Marathon.
Mayor Bass said, “Los Angeles mourns the loss of Dr. William A. ‘Bill’ Burke — a visionary leader whose decades of service transformed our city and improved the lives of countless families.” She added, “I had the privilege of knowing Bill personally and always appreciated his guidance, advice and steadfast support.” The Mayor extended deepest condolences to his wife, former Congresswoman and Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, and his daughters Christine and Autumn.