12 Facts About Phyllis Kahn

Phyllis Lorberblatt Kahn was born on March 23,1937 and is an American politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Phyllis Kahn was the chief author and advocate of the 1975 Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act, one of the first laws enacted anywhere in the world banning the smoking of tobacco in public places.

In 1989, Phyllis Kahn proposed reducing the voting age in Minnesota to 12.

Phyllis Kahn has repeatedly advocated for repeal of so-called "Blue Laws," which forbid liquor stores from operating on Sundays and some holidays.

Phyllis Kahn reportedly got the idea after learning that cousin marriage is an acceptable form of marriage among some cultural groups that have a strong presence in Minnesota, namely the Hmong and Somali.

Phyllis Kahn is a longtime advocate for education, health care and medical technology, agriculture and the natural environment, and human rights, particularly for senior citizens and women.

Phyllis Kahn was first elected to represent her area of Minneapolis in 1972 and served continuously from then until January 2017.

Phyllis Kahn was married to University of Minnesota mathematics professor Donald Phyllis Kahn for 58 years, until his death in January 2015.

Phyllis Kahn's father-in-law was investor Irving Kahn, who lived to the age of 109.

In 2004, Phyllis Kahn was charged with theft for removal of Republican campaign literature from doorsteps of several houses.

Phyllis Kahn was a leading opponent of efforts by DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis to construct an athletic field on its campus in her neighborhood on Nicollet Island, giving her views frequently at public hearings.

Phyllis Kahn once ran a marathon in 3 hours and 17 minutes, and signed up for the 2002 Twin Cities Marathon.