The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday bid its final farewell to Councilman Tom LaBonge, who is termed out and leaving office on June 30 after representing the 4th Council District for 14 years.

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer (right) and Mayor Eric Garcetti shared a humorous moment with Councilman Tom LaBonge, who was joined at the ceremony in city council chambers by his wife, Brigid.(photo by Edwin Folven)

During a farewell ceremony for LaBonge in city council chambers, the councilman shed tears as Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Attorney Mike Feuer, numerous council members and representatives of city departments expressed their fondness for the affable councilman. LaBonge, whose is often referred to as “Mr. Los Angeles” by his peers, has served the city in different capacities for nearly 40 years. The councilman was joined by his wife Brigid, and children Charles and Mary-Catherine. He thanked the council for the send-off, and said his only definitive plans are to travel with his wife.

Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, served as the master of ceremonies for the farewell ceremony. LaBonge received a lengthy standing ovation when he was introduced. The one constant during the presentation was hugs and handshakes, with LaBonge thanking nearly everyone assembled to say goodbye.

O’Farrell said LaBonge inspired him to run for city council when Garcetti, who formerly represented the 13th District, ran for mayor in 2013. O’Farrell formerly served as a field deputy in the 13th District for Garcetti.

“As a field deputy, Tom taught me the value of constituent services,” O’Farrell said. “His priorities as an elected leader included neighborhood preservation and enhancement, improved transportation systems, mobility, public safety, expansion and improvement of parks and open space, not to mention saving the Hollywood Sign. Tom has also worked tirelessly in support of Sisters Cities of Los Angeles programs, maintaining connections with cities all over the world.”

Garcetti said he worked extensively with LaBonge during his years representing Hollywood as a councilman, and said his departure from city service is bittersweet. The mayor said LaBonge was elected in 2001 during a period when secession movements were underway in the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood, and LaBonge was one of the people who helped keep the city in one piece.

“Usually the crying starts at the end, but Tom walked in here with his eyes red, and I think we all immediately felt that same moment of sadness that he feels,” Garcetti said. “But there are also tears of joy. Tears of joy for so many moments that we that we couldn’t possibly contain the smiles.”

Garcetti said one example that embodies LaBonge’s commitment to Los Angeles was his response during a major fire in Griffith Park in 2007, when the councilman assisted firefighters and helped coordinate the city’s response. Garcetti said it embodied LaBonge’s love and support for Griffith Park, where the councilman hikes nearly every morning. Additionally, LaBonge spearheaded an effort to preserve land around the Hollywood Sign that was formerly owned by developers.

The mayor added that LaBonge’s hallmarks also include an outgoing personality, his uncanny ability to remember dates and events, his penchant for walking up and greeting strangers, and getting “his hand dirty” with clean-up projects.

“Tom has been present for all of us. He has been present in our personal lives, always asking how we are doing. He has been present in the lives of people who don’t know him, but see him in this city and feel they know Los Angeles when they hear him speak,” Garcetti said. “We would not be who we are without you, Tom.”

Feuer said he has had a longstanding relationship with LaBonge dating back to the mid-1990s. He highlighted LaBonge’s love of young people, and the councilman’s work in locating a space for a Shane’s Inspiration playground for disabled children in Griffith Park.

In 2004, LaBonge championed the construction of a similar playground for disabled children in Pan Pacific Park. The playground is officially named Renee’s Place, after LaBonge’s planning deputy, Renee Weitzer, who worked closely with the councilman on the project.

“Tom made a tremendous effort to ensure there was a location where children of all abilities could play,” Feuer said. “Tom is a person whose accomplishments are often talked about in regards to staving off secession or Griffith Park, but there is a special place in Tom’s heart for kids, especially kids who have special needs, and I wanted to highlight that because it is not well known about Tom.”

Feuer also joked about a press conference he attended at which LaBonge changed his shirt, and wasn’t wearing anything underneath.

“It was a major lesson in how public officials can really display who they are,” Feuer said, prompting the crowd to erupt in laughter.

Numerous other city officials paid tribute to LaBonge, including representatives of the Los Angeles police and fire departments, the Port of Los Angeles, the department of transportation and Sister Cities of Los Angeles. Councilman Paul Koretz, 5th District, said he has known LaBonge since the 1970s when they both served on Mayor Tom Bradley’s youth advisory council. Koretz said he admires LaBonge’s personal style with constituents, and called him a role model for constituent services.

“When you see him with an individual person, he shows the kind of professional courtesy we all think is dead, but it’s not,” Koretz added. “Tom, I’ll do my best to replace you, but I don’t think I will be much help in that regard.”

Councilman Joe Buscaino, 15th District, offered a list of suggestions about future jobs LaBonge could take after leaving office. The list included serving as a field deputy for Buscaino, working as a line manager at Pink’s Hot Dogs, serving as a guide for Starline Tours, or appearing as a costumed superhero on Hollywood Boulevard.