Member: Business and Finance Committee and the Water Planning and Stewardship Committee

Professional and community activities:

Murray worked as an aerospace engineer until the late 1950s, when he became involved in the emerging civil rights movement, participating in protest marches with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other leaders of the movement. Murray served on the staffs of city of Los Angeles and state officials and, beginning in 1988, served four terms as a state legislator. As a legislator, Murray established the first Institute on the Preservation of Jazz as an Artform at California State University, Long Beach, and established the Center for African-American Educational Excellence and Achievement at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Murray fought for and acquired more than $53 million in funding for the new Lynwood High School Project and succeeded in garnering computers from the California Department of Corrections for both Lynwood and Compton Unified School Districts.

He also co-authored legislation which provides for Superintendents of Education in both the CDC and California Youth Authority to implement literacy programs for inmates. Murray also secured over $14 million for Compton College for the erection of a new Health and Safety Vocational/Technology Center.

Murray is a member of the Compton NAACP, Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee, the American Legion, YWCA, Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles, Gardena Valley Democratic Club, American Red Cross-Los Angeles Chapter, the African American Cultural Center and numerous other political, community and civic organizations. In an effort to encourage community involvement, Murray has established the Annual Community Recognition Awards which he holds annually honoring teachers, police officers, firefighters and students for outstanding service.