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	(1939-02-26)February 26, 1939 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Died	July 10, 1985(1985-07-10) (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 Karen Ann Kiefer Kris Patrick 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 losing by 242 votes or less than a half a vote per precinct.

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

1. "Nat G. Kiefer". search.ancestry.com. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
2. 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 1970–1985	Succeeded by Jon D. Johnson
Preceded by Prior to single-member districting	Louisiana State Representative for District 26 (Orleans Parish) Ignatz "Nat" Gerard Kiefer 1968–1970	Succeeded by James Sutterfield