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{{Infobox officeholder

{{Infobox officeholder

|name=Sylvan N. Friedman

|name=Sylvan Nathan Friedman

|image=Sylvan Friedman of LA.jpg

|office=[[Louisiana]] State Senator for<br> Natchitoches and Red River parishes

|office=[[Louisiana]] State Senator for<br> Natchitoches and Red River parishes

|term_start=1952

|term_start=1952

|term_end2=1952

|term_end2=1952

|preceded2=John O. Williams<br>

|preceded2=John O. Williams<br>

Arthur C. Watson (two members)

[[Arthur C. Watson]] (two members)

|succeeded2=Curtis Boozman<br>

|succeeded2=[[Curtis Boozman]]<br>

Monnie T. Cheves

[[Monnie T. Cheves]]

|office3=Natchitoches Parish Police Jury  

|office3=Natchitoches Parish Police Jury  

|term_start3=1932

|term_start3=1932

|death_place=[[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], Louisiana  

|death_place=[[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]], Louisiana  

|spouse=Elizabeth H. Friedman

|spouse=Elizabeth H. Friedman

|children=Sam Friedman

|children=Samuel James "Sam" Friedman

|relations=J. Isaac Friedman (uncle)<br>

|relations=J. Isaac Friedman (uncle)<br>

Leon Friedman (uncle)

Leon Friedman (uncle)

|religion=[[Jewish]]}}

|religion=[[Jewish]]}}

'''Sylvan N. Friedman''' (May 19, 1908 &ndash; March 18, 1979)<ref name=ssdi>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com|accessdate=September 8, 2009; under pay wall}}</ref> was a [[Louisiana]] [[politician]], a rare [[Jewish]] member of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature. He served from [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]] in the state House of Representatives from 1944 to 1952 and then in the state Senate from 1952 until his defeat in 1972.

'''Sylvan Nathan Friedman''' (May 19, 1908 &ndash; March 18, 1979)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19122223/sylvan-nathan-friedmanry.com|title=Sylvan Nathan Friedman|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=July 6, 2023}}</ref> was a [[Louisiana]] [[politician]], a rare [[Jewish]] member of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature. He served from [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]] in the state House of Representatives from 1944 to 1952 and then in the state Senate from 1952 until his defeat in 1972.

==Background==

==Background==

Friedman was born in [[rural]] Natchez in Natchitoches Parish, not to be confused with the larger and better known Natchez, [[Mississippi]]. He was a large landowner, a [[farmer]], and a [[cattle]]man. He was a president of the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association.<ref name=nsu >{{cite web|url=http://facilityuse.nsula.edu/friedman-student-union-2|title=Northwestern State University: Friedman Student Union|publisher=facilityuse.nsula.edu|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref>

Friedman was born in [[rural]] Natchez in Natchitoches Parish, not to be confused with the larger and better known Natchez, [[Mississippi]]. He was a large landowner, a [[farmer]], and a [[cattle]]man. He was a president of the Louisiana Cattleman’s Association.<ref name=nsu>{{cite web|url=http://facilityuse.nsula.edu/friedman-student-union-2|title=Northwestern State University: Friedman Student Union|publisher=facilityuse.nsula.edu|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref>

Prior to his legislative service, Friedman was a member of the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury, the equivalent to the county commissionw, in other states, including eight years as the jury  president.<ref name=lapol>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php?viewID=23|title=Political Hall of Fame: Sylvan Friedman|publisher=lapoliticalmuseum.com|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref>  

Prior to his legislative service, Friedman was a member of the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury, the equivalent to the county commissionw, in other states, including eight years as the jury  president.<ref name=lapol>{{cite web|url=http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/inductees.php?viewID=23|title=Political Hall of Fame: Sylvan Friedman|publisher=lapoliticalmuseum.com|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref>  

==Legislative years==

==Legislative years==

In the state House, Friedman and Numa T. Delouche (1888-1965), a [[Roman Catholic]] from Cloutierville, filled the Natchitoches Parish seats vacated in 1944 by John O. Williams and [[Arthur C. Watson]], an [[attorney]] and bank director who later was chairman of the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee. In Friedman’s second House term, which began in 1948, Delouche was replaced  by Roy Sanders (1904-1976), the principal of Readhimer High School in the Chestnut community north of Black Lake and a leader in the push for adult education in the legislature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=120981934&PIpi=98708898|title=Roy Sanders|publisher=''Winn Parish Enterprise News-American'' retrieved from Findagrave.com|location=Winnfield, Louisiana|date=December 29, 1976|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref> When Friedman won election to the Senate, the Friedman and Sanders House seats were taken by two other Democrats, Curtis Boozman (1898-1979).<ref name=ssdi/> and Monnie Tom Cheves (1902-1988), a member of the [[Northwestern State University]] faculty.<ref name=lahouse>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020 (Natchitoches Parish)|publisher=Louisana House of Representatives|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref>

In the state House, Friedman and Numa T. Delouche (1888-1965), a [[Roman Catholic]] from Cloutierville, filled the Natchitoches Parish seats vacated in 1944 by John O. Williams and [[Arthur C. Watson]], an [[attorney]] and bank director who later was chairman of the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee. In Friedman’s second House term, which began in 1948, Delouche was replaced  by Roy Sanders (1904-1976), the principal of Readhimer High School in the Chestnut community north of Black Lake and a leader in the push for adult education in the legislature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=120981934&PIpi=98708898|title=Roy Sanders|publisher=''Winn Parish Enterprise News-American'' retrieved from Findagrave.com|location=Winnfield, Louisiana|date=December 29, 1976|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref> When Friedman won election to the Senate, the Friedman and Sanders House seats were taken by two other Democrats, [[Curtis Boozman]] and [[Monnie T. Cheves]], a member of the [[Northwestern State University]] faculty.<ref name=lahouse>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020 (Natchitoches Parish)|publisher=Louisana House of Representatives|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref>

As a senator, Friedman served with four governors: [[Robert F. Kennon]], [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], [[Jimmie Davis]], and [[John J. McKeithen]]. During his lengthy career, he was a member of the legislative budget committee. He also served on committees on higher education, finance, and judiciary.<ref name=lapol/> Friedman unseated the 28-year-old one-term state Senator Lloyd F. Wheat (born 1923) of Coushatta in Red River Parish in the Democratic primary. At various times, in addition to Natchitoches Parish, he represented Red River, Winn, Grant, and a portion of Rapides parishes.<ref name=nsu/>

As a senator, Friedman served with four governors: [[Robert F. Kennon]], [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], [[Jimmie Davis]], and [[John J. McKeithen]]. During his lengthy career, he was a member of the legislative budget committee. He also served on committees on higher education, finance, and judiciary.<ref name=lapol/> Friedman unseated the 28-year-old one-term state Senator Lloyd F. Wheat (born 1923) of Coushatta in Red River Parish in the Democratic primary. At various times, in addition to Natchitoches Parish, he represented Red River, Winn, Grant, and a portion of Rapides parishes.<ref name=nsu/>

A personal friend of Earl Long, Friedman frequently dined with the governor, eating cornbread, greens, sweet potatoes, and drinking buttermilk in the old Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge. During Long's tenure, Friedman had a room reserved at the mansion and was a late night "political talking companion."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepineywoods.com/BlancoHall.htm|title=Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]] heads list for [2006] Hall of Fame induction|author=James Ronald Skains|publisher=The Piney Woods.com|accessdate=September 18, 2009; no longer on-line}}</ref>

A personal friend of Earl Long, Friedman frequently dined with the governor, eating cornbread, greens, sweet potatoes, and drinking buttermilk in the old Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge. During Long's tenure, Friedman had a room reserved at the mansion and was a late night "political talking companion."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepineywoods.com/BlancoHall.htm|title=Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]] heads list for [2006] Hall of Fame induction|author=James Ronald Skains|publisher=The Piney Woods.com|accessdate=September 18, 2009; no longer on-line}}</ref>

Friedman lost his bid for a sixth term in the 1971-1972 election cycle, having been eliminated as the third-place candidate in the primary. Former Representative Paul Foshee then defeated state Senator Willard L. Rambo of Georgetown in Grant Parish in the runoff election. Foshee then prevailed against [[Bob Reese]], a [[Republican Party|Republican]] opponent in the general election held on February 1, 1972. In 1975, Foshee was unseated by Donald Gene Kelly, a Natchitoches Democratic attorney and horse breeder, who held the seat until 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.senate.la.gov/Documents/Membership/EAHSenatorList1880ForwardJan2012.pdf|title=Membership of the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-Present|publisher=Louisiana State Senate|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref>

Friedman lost his bid for a sixth term in the 1971-1972 election cycle, having been eliminated as the third-place candidate in the primary. Former Representative [[Paul Foshee]] of Natchitoches then defeated state Senator Willard L. Rambo of Georgetown in Grant Parish in the runoff election, a member of the extended [[Earl Long|Long]] political faction. Foshee then prevailed against [[Bob Reese]], a [[Republican Party|Republican]] opponent in the general election held on February 1, 1972. In 1975, Foshee was unseated by [[Don Kelly|Donald Gene Kelly]], a Natchitoches Democratic attorney and horse breeder, who held the seat until 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.senate.la.gov/Documents/Membership/EAHSenatorList1880ForwardJan2012.pdf|title=Membership of the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-Present|publisher=Louisiana State Senate|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref>

Friedman was a member of the Southern Regional Education Board. He was a former "Man of the Year" of the Natchitoches Parish [[Chamber of Commerce]].<ref name=nsu/> In 1988, Northwestern State University renamed its student center in Friedman’s honor.<ref name=lapol/> As a senator, Friedman had been instrumental in obtaining the student center, as well as Prather Coliseum and several campus residential halls and classroom buildings.<ref name=nsu/>

Friedman was a member of the Southern Regional Education Board. He was a former "Man of the Year" of the Natchitoches Parish [[Chamber of Commerce]].<ref name=nsu/> In 1988, Northwestern State University renamed its student center in Friedman’s honor.<ref name=lapol/> As a senator, Friedman had been instrumental in obtaining the student center, as well as Prather Coliseum and several campus residential halls and classroom buildings.<ref name=nsu/>

Sylvan Friedman was not the first or second Jewish legislator from Natchitoches Parish. Much earlier, [[Leopold Caspari]], who in 1884 pushed successfully for the creation of Northwestern State University, also served in both houses of the legislature, non-consecutively between 1884 and 1914.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-louisiana-biography-c/|title=Caspari, Leopold|publisher=Louisiana Historical Association:  ''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography'' (lahistory.org)|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref> Prior to Friedman's death, [[Arnold Jack Rosenthal]], a Jewish lawyer and businessman in Alexandria, with maternal roots in Natchitoches, served as his city's last finance and utilities commissioner.

Sylvan Friedman was not the first or second Jewish legislator from Natchitoches Parish. Much earlier, [[Leopold Caspari]], who in 1884 pushed successfully for the creation of Northwestern State University, also served in both houses of the legislature, non-consecutively between 1884 and 1914.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-louisiana-biography-c/|title=Caspari, Leopold|publisher=Louisiana Historical Association:  ''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography'' (lahistory.org)|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref> Prior to Friedman's death, [[Arnold Jack Rosenthal]], a Jewish lawyer and businessman in Alexandria, with maternal roots in Natchitoches, served as his city's last finance and utilities commissioner.

   

   

In 2006, Friedman was posthumously inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield. Two years later, another District 31 state senator, [[Don Kelly]], who served from 1976 to 1996, was named to this same Hall of Fame. As was customary for the organization, [[cartoon]]ist [[Pap Dean]], prepared a caricature of the late Natchitoches lawmaker.<ref name=lapol/>

In 2006, Friedman was posthumously inducted into the [[Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame]] in Winnfield. Two years later, another District 31 state senator, Don Kelly, who served from 1976 to 1996, was named to this same Hall of Fame. As was customary for the organization, [[cartoon]]ist [[Pap Dean]], prepared a caricature of the late Natchitoches lawmaker.<ref name=lapol/>

 

Friedman's son and only child, Samuel James "Sam" Friedman (1937-2023), was a Natchitoches former attorney, rancher, and businessman who founded Safari Management, a hotel development and management company which acquired its first holding, the Holiday Inn in Brownwood, Texas. He also developed an extended-stay hotel chain, Dimension Development, with focus on Homewood Suites.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/obituaries/spt085699|title=Samuel James "Sam" Friednam obituary|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=July 5, 2023|accessdate=July 6, 2023}}</ref>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:American Jews]]

[[Category:American Jews]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:State Senators]]

[[Category:State Senators]]

[[Category:Democrats]]

[[Category:Democrats]]