[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15556]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF STEPHEN B. KAHN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. 
Stephen B. Kahn, philanthropist, political progressive, and innovator, 
who passed away on Friday, April 27, 2007, at the age of 96.
  Stephen was born in St. Louis, MO, on June 8, 1910. In his youth he 
called both San Francisco and New York home, and finally settled in 
Manhattan with his mother. She was an early feminist and supporter of 
Margaret Sanger; her political activities surely encouraged the 
development of his own progressive ideas. He returned to California to 
reunite with his father and later earned a degree in journalism from 
the University of Oregon at Eugene. He completed a law degree at the 
University of Tennessee and worked in the legal division of the 
Tennessee Valley Authority.
  During World War II, he was drafted into the Army and served with the 
7th Armored Division in Europe. Stephen and his wife, Ruth, then moved 
to Carmel and he began a successful career in the timber business as a 
conservationist and champion of healthy timber practices. He also 
supported the ACLU, progressive journals, and noncommercial listener-
supported radio in its early years, notably Radio Station KPFA and the 
Pacifica Foundation.
  After Ruth's death in 1994, Steven created the Arkay Foundation as a 
tribute to her memory. The foundation supports innovative civil, 
environmental, and health care programs. He was a strong advocate for 
alternative medicine and helped naturopaths become licensed in 
California. He also promoted the use of vitamin C and megavitamin 
therapy for physical and mental illnesses. Remaining remarkably 
energetic himself, he led this foundation up to the end of his life.
  However, he was best known for his progressive style of politics and 
commitment to the Democratic Party. He believed passionately that 
individuals could make a difference both at the local and national 
level by supporting political change. He also believed that songs could 
change the world. Steve was most proud of his early discovery of Woody 
Guthrie while filming a documentary in Oregon. Woody's part in 
producing was what he liked to call ``art with a social message.''
  Madam Speaker, the life of Stephen Kahn was full of joy and purpose. 
He directly impacted the lives of thousands of people who came to 
respect, admire, and love him. I offer condolences to his two children 
Karen Kahn and Robert Kahn, his stepson David Goldschmidt; and the rest 
of his family. Stephen's passion, energy and wonderful spirit will be 
greatly missed by all who knew him.

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