A former wartime Marine and his wife. A retiring college president. The sheriff of Los Angeles County. And a locally rooted band that became a sensation.
These are folks who today will receive keys to the city of Long Beach, a longstanding tradition in which U.S. cities confer gifts on the powerful, the famous and the heroic of their hometown.
The ceremony will take place near the start of the Tuesday City Council meeting at 5 p.m., held inside the Civic Chambers. Attendance is free and open to the public, with no registration required.
“Each of these distinguished honorees has made a profound impact on Long Beach—through education, public service, or by representing our city on the world stage,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “By presenting the Key to the City, we formally recognize their extraordinary contributions and express our deepest gratitude on behalf of the people of Long Beach.”
Recipients include William “Jack” and Brenda McDowell, Jane Close Conoley, Robert Luna, and the Long Beach band WAR.
- William McDowell was among the first enlisted Black U.S. Marines, and fought in World War II, the Korean War and the War in Vietnam. In that time, he earned three Purple Hearts and in 2012 was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal alongside his fellow Montford Point Marines, the first Black Americans to serve in the Marine Corps. His wife, Brenda, is a retired flight attendant and has previously worked in real estate as well as early childhood education.
- In 2014, Conoley became the first female president of Cal State Long Beach. She previously served as the dean of the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She recently announced her retirement.
- After a 36-year career with the Long Beach Police Department — including seven years as chief of police — Robert Luna was elected as the Los Angeles County Sheriff in November 2022. He commands the largest sheriff’s office in the U.S., according to a city release, with 17,000 sworn and civilian staff on the county payroll.
- Formed locally as “the Creators” in 1962, this WAR has lasted longer than most others, except perhaps the Punic War, the Hundred Years War and the Cold War. The nine-man squad — known for rotating through dozens of members — released 18 albums between 1970 and 2014 that incorporate elements of jam-oriented rock, blues and Afro-Cuban funk. The group earned accolades, including 17 gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards, for hits like, “The Cisco Kid,” “The World Is A Ghetto” and “Low Rider.” In June, the group earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.