[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 23 (Friday, February 4, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E115-E116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING DAVID KAHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HALEY M. STEVENS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 4, 2022

  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
inspirational life of Mr.

[[Page E116]]

David Kahan, a national leader from Michigan's 11th District who passed 
away on January 8th, 2022. Among the many contributions Mr. Kahan made 
to our community, he will be remembered to many as the beloved 
patriarch of the Kahan family, a savvy business owner, and an advocate 
for the Jewish community.
  Mr. David Kahan has been described by his family as ``one-of-a-
kind,'' and his inspirational personal story of perseverance 
demonstrates how unique he was: At just sixteen years old, David Kahan 
and his family were captured from their home in a remote town in 
Transylvania and imprisoned at the Auschwitz concentration camp in 
Nazi-occupied Poland. Despite experiencing severe malnutrition, Typhus, 
and unimaginable abuse, David Kahan survived the horrific conditions of 
Auschwitz and moved to the United States to start anew.
  Like many Holocaust survivors, Mr. Kahan initially found his time at 
Auschwitz too disturbing to share. His children recall the moment in 
the 1970's when a professor from Northwestern University in Chicago 
incorrectly challenged the scale and cruelty of the Holocaust, 
motivating their father to speak out about his experience as a 
survivor. For the remainder of his life, Mr. Kahan worked to ensure 
that this important history was not forgotten and that the Jewish 
community was represented. He spoke at various high schools, civic 
centers, and events to advocate for Holocaust education and the Jewish 
community for almost 50 years.
  Mr. Kahan was proud of his country and made it his mission to ensure 
that the United States could continue to serve as a ``land of 
opportunity'' for those like him. He worked selling shoes and then in a 
tool and die shop before establishing himself in real estate in 1967. 
Over the course of his career, Mr. Kahan advanced to work alongside 
several of Southeast Michigan's most prominent business leaders. He 
said that his personal success is a true example of how the U.S. 
presents opportunities unlike any other place in the world, and he 
dedicated his life to expanding these opportunities for others.
  Mr. David Kahan will be fondly remembered and genuinely missed by all 
who knew him and were touched by his remarkable life. His legacy 
continues through his wife, Terry, and their children, Douglas, 
Jeffrey, and Michael Kahan. Madam Speaker, the scope of Mr. David 
Kahan's impact is immeasurable, and Michigan's 11th Congressional 
District is fortunate to have been home to such an inspirational 
leader. Please join me in remembering the life of Mr. David Kahan and 
his many contributions.

                          ____________________