HLS 183ES-94 ORIGINAL
2018 Third Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 14
BY REPRESENTATIVES LEGER, BOUIE, DUPLESSIS, AND JIMMY HARRIS
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences on the death of Felicia Kahn
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Felicia Kahn.
3 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
4Louisiana House of Representatives have learned of the death of Felicia Kahn on June 21,
52018, at the age of ninety-one; and
6 WHEREAS, Felicia Kahn was a political activist and social justice advocate; a
7lifelong Democrat, she remained actively involved in politics and the women's rights
8movement in Louisiana until her death; and
9 WHEREAS, Ms. Kahn was born on July 11, 1926, only six years after the nineteenth
10amendment granted American women the right to vote; she grew up in New Orleans and,
11after graduating from Isidore Newman School, she attended Newcomb College where she
12earned a degree in sociology; and
13 WHEREAS, as a student, she volunteered with the League of Women Voters of New
14Orleans, helping register women to vote; after graduating, she worked for the city's welfare
15department and could see firsthand systemic problems stemming from segregation; she
16supported the integration of the league and joined the league in lobbying for passage of the
17Equal Rights Amendment; and
18 WHEREAS, she served as the league's president in the late 1960s and was especially
19interested in expanding voter access, ensuring polls were open at daybreak so working
20people could vote early; and
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HR NO. 14
1 WHEREAS, she later became actively involved in partisan politics, helping
2generations of women in politics at every level, from the U.S. Senate and the New Orleans
3City Council to the Orleans Parish School Board; she was a volunteer for Moon Landrieu's
4campaign for mayor of New Orleans in 1970; she also worked for Congresswoman Lindy
5Boggs; and
6 WHEREAS, in 1972, she worked with the National Women's Political Caucus to
7encourage women to attend the Democratic convention; that same year, she won a seat on
8the Democratic State Central Committee backed by Mayor Landrieu and the New Orleans
9Coalition; this was among the highest offices women in New Orleans sought at the time; and
10 WHEREAS, Ms. Kahn joined Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign in 1976 and was
11appointed to the convention's Rules Committee; later, in 2010, Ms. Kahn revived the
12Independent Women's Organization, after a period of inactivity, and became its president
13at age eighty-four; and
14 WHEREAS, her tenacity and drive were unyielding and her notable accomplishments
15included being the second oldest delegate to the 2016 Democratic Convention; she missed
16only one convention since 1976, often serving as a delegate; in 2016, she was awarded the
17Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Democratic Party; and
18 WHEREAS, the many contributions Felicia Kahn made to women in politics and the
19Democratic Party in New Orleans and the state of Louisiana reflect a purpose-filled life; and
20 WHEREAS, Felicia Kahn is survived by her children, Charles N. "Chip" Kahn, III,
21Elizabeth Kahn, and Felicia Kahn Michelson; brother, Richard Schornstein; and three
22grandchildren.
23 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
24Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express condolences upon the death of Felicia Kahn
25and does hereby recognize and record Ms. Kahn's major contributions to her community and
26her state during a lifetime of advocacy and commitment to democracy and social justice.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
28to the family of Felicia Kahn.
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HR NO. 14
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 14 Original 2018 Third Extraordinary Session Leger
Expresses condolences upon the death of Felicia Kahn of New Orleans, political activist and
social justice advocate.
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