Nat G. Kiefer
Ignatz Gerard Kiefer, known as Nat G. Kiefer (February 26, 1939[1] – July 10, 1985) was an attorney from his native New Orleans, Louisiana, who served in both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature. He was a state representative from 1968 to 1970, and thereafter until his death in office fifteen years later a state senator.
Ignatz "Nat" Gerard Kiefer | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana State Senator for Orleans Parish | |
| In office 1970 – July 10, 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Angus D. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Jon D. Johnson |
| Louisiana State Representative for District 26 (Orleans Parish) | |
| In office 1968–1970 | |
| Succeeded by | James Sutterfield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 26, 1939 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Died | July 10, 1985 (aged 46) Los Angeles, California |
| Cause of death | Liver ailment |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Carol Ann Hazard Kiefer |
| Children | Nat G. Kiefer, Jr. Kent Kiefer |
| Alma mater | Tulane Law School |
| Profession | Attorney at law |
Biography
Political career
Kiefer carried a brash style into the state senate as one of Governor Edwin Edwards' floor leaders and champion of Charity Hospital, New Orleans. A skilled legislator, Democrat, Kiefer was instrumental in the construction of the Kiefer-UNO Arena which was named for him following his death in 1985.. Kiefer was also the recipient of applause for securing funding for the revitalization of the New Orleans Port and passing legislation which capped the cost of the Superdome and thus saved the project.
Kiefer was consistently the winner of the prestigious Legislator of the Year Award presented annually by the Alliance for Good Government.
He ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of New Orleans in 1977, finishing third in the jungle primary by 242 votes to Councilman Joseph V. DiRosa, or less than a half a vote per precinct. DiRosa lost the runoff (general election) to Louisiana Court of Appeals Judge Ernest Morial, who became New Orleans' first black mayor.
Family
Kiefer married Carol Ann Hazard (born June 18, 1940); the couple had four children, Nat Gerard Kiefer, Jr., Kent Christopher Kiefer, Karen Anne Kiefer, and Kris Patrick Kiefer.
Death
Kiefer died at the age of forty-six of a liver ailment at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center.[2]
In 1987, the UNO Lakefront Arena was officially renamed the "Senator Nat G. Kiefer University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena".
References
- "Nat G. Kiefer". search.ancestry.com. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- The New York Times, July 10, 1985 issue
| Preceded by Angus D. "A. D." Smith |
Louisiana State Senator for Orleans Parish
Ignatz "Nat" Gerard Kiefer |
Succeeded by Jon D. Johnson |
| Preceded by Prior to single-member districting |
Louisiana State Representative for District 26 (Orleans Parish) Ignatz "Nat" Gerard Kiefer |
Succeeded by James Sutterfield |