Gordon Hahn
Encyclopedia
Gordon R. Hahn was a member of the Los Angeles City Council and California State Assembly in the mid-20th Century.
While on the council, he cast the decisive vote that brought the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles and was instrumental in the appointment of Gilbert Lindsay, who became the first African American on the city council.
His brother, Kenneth Hahn
, was Los Angeles County supervisor for 40 years. After Kenneth suffered a stroke in 1987, Gordon was his field deputy until Kenneth retired in 1992.
, the sixth of the seven children of John and Hattie (Wiggins) Hahn. His father died when he was an infant, leaving his mother to raise the large family on a $60-per-month pension. She moved the family to a small house on Flower Street in Los Angeles, where his younger brother, Kenneth
, was born.
Hahn worked his way through Pepperdine University
, graduated from Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy
and was a Naval Reserve officer during World War II.
After leaving office, he worked in the real estate business. He died of pneumonia caused by respiratory failure on March 29, 2001. Hahn was buried in Riverside National Cemetery
, Riverside, California.
, becoming the second-youngest legislator in the state's history. He served four terms in the Assembly, from 1947 until 1953.
Hahn was appointed to fill the Los Angeles City Council District 8
seat vacated by his brother, Kenneth, who had been elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
. Gordon was elected to the council in his own right after the expiration of his brother's term and served on the council until 1963.
In 1955 District 8 included an area ". . . bordering on Huntington Park
and Vernon
, from Vernon Avenue to 94th Street. . . . A considerable percentage of the population is Negro; they hold that their race should have some representation in the City Council. On the other hand, left-wing Democrats, following the banner of Rep. Jimmy Roosevelt
, also have a candidate in the race, which may split the Negro vote."
While he was on the council he chaired Revenue and Taxation Committee. During an eight-day smog blanket over Los Angeles in 1954, Hahn told the Associated Press, "this thing has gone far enough, health should come before industry."
in 1962, losing to Democrat Charles H. Wilson
, 48 percent to 52 percent. In 1986, he made an unsuccessful bid for Los Angeles County Assessor
.
While on the council, he cast the decisive vote that brought the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles and was instrumental in the appointment of Gilbert Lindsay, who became the first African American on the city council.
His brother, Kenneth Hahn
Kenneth Hahn
Kenneth "Kenny" Hahn was a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for forty years, from 1952 to 1992. Hahn was on the Los Angeles City Council from 1947 to 1952. He was an ardent supporter of civil rights throughout the 1960s, and met Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1961.-Biography:Hahn...
, was Los Angeles County supervisor for 40 years. After Kenneth suffered a stroke in 1987, Gordon was his field deputy until Kenneth retired in 1992.
Biography
Hahn was born in Kindersley, SaskatchewanKindersley, Saskatchewan
Kindersley is a town in west central Saskatchewan, Canada, located at Section 10, Township 29, Range 23, West of the 3rd Meridian, along highway 7, a primary highway linking Calgary, Alberta and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan...
, the sixth of the seven children of John and Hattie (Wiggins) Hahn. His father died when he was an infant, leaving his mother to raise the large family on a $60-per-month pension. She moved the family to a small house on Flower Street in Los Angeles, where his younger brother, Kenneth
Kenneth Hahn
Kenneth "Kenny" Hahn was a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for forty years, from 1952 to 1992. Hahn was on the Los Angeles City Council from 1947 to 1952. He was an ardent supporter of civil rights throughout the 1960s, and met Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1961.-Biography:Hahn...
, was born.
Hahn worked his way through Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
, graduated from Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of the five United States Service academies...
and was a Naval Reserve officer during World War II.
After leaving office, he worked in the real estate business. He died of pneumonia caused by respiratory failure on March 29, 2001. Hahn was buried in Riverside National Cemetery
Riverside National Cemetery
Riverside National Cemetery is a cemetery located in Riverside, California, dedicated to the interment of United States military personnel. The cemetery covers , making it the third-largest cemetery managed by the National Cemetery Administration...
, Riverside, California.
Assembly
In 1946, at the age of 27, he was elected as a Republican in the 66th District of the California State AssemblyCalifornia State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
, becoming the second-youngest legislator in the state's history. He served four terms in the Assembly, from 1947 until 1953.
City Council
See also List of Los Angeles municipal election returns, 1953 and after.Hahn was appointed to fill the Los Angeles City Council District 8
Los Angeles City Council District 8
Los Angeles City Council District 8 is one of the 15 districts of the Los Angeles City Council, covering much of South Los Angeles. The current council member is Bernard C. Parks....
seat vacated by his brother, Kenneth, who had been elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is the five-member nonpartisan governing board of Los Angeles County, California. Members of the board of supervisors are elected by district. They were as of December 2, 2008:*District 1: Gloria Molina...
. Gordon was elected to the council in his own right after the expiration of his brother's term and served on the council until 1963.
In 1955 District 8 included an area ". . . bordering on Huntington Park
Huntington Park
-In the United States:* Huntington Park, California* Huntington Park , a park in Newport News, Virginia* Huntington Park , a minor league baseball stadium in Columbus, Ohio...
and Vernon
Vernon, California
Vernon is a city five miles south of downtown Los Angeles, California. The population was 112 at the 2010 United States Census, the smallest of any incorporated city in the state....
, from Vernon Avenue to 94th Street. . . . A considerable percentage of the population is Negro; they hold that their race should have some representation in the City Council. On the other hand, left-wing Democrats, following the banner of Rep. Jimmy Roosevelt
James Roosevelt
James Roosevelt was the oldest son of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was a United States Congressman, an officer in the United States Marine Corps, an aide to his father, the official Secretary to the President, a Democratic Party activist, and a businessman.-Early life:Roosevelt was...
, also have a candidate in the race, which may split the Negro vote."
While he was on the council he chaired Revenue and Taxation Committee. During an eight-day smog blanket over Los Angeles in 1954, Hahn told the Associated Press, "this thing has gone far enough, health should come before industry."
Other contests
He ran to represent California's 31st District in the U.S. House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1962, losing to Democrat Charles H. Wilson
Charles H. Wilson
Charles Herbert Wilson was a California Democratic politician from the Los Angeles area. He served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1963 to 1981.-Early life:...
, 48 percent to 52 percent. In 1986, he made an unsuccessful bid for Los Angeles County Assessor
Los Angeles County Assessor
Los Angeles County Assessor is the office which deals with the tax-side to property in the county. The current assessor is Rick Auerbach. Prior to Auerbach taking office in 2000, Kenneth P. Hahn was assessor.Past County Assessors...
.