Janice Hahn

Janice Hahn is the U.S. Representative of the 44th district of California. She was elected to Congress in a special election held in July of 2011, and re-elected in November 2012. She sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as the Committee on Small Business. She serves as Ranking Member on the Small Business Subcommittee on Health and Technology.

Her desire to serve was instilled by her father, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Kenny Hahn. In 1962, during the Civil Rights movement, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Los Angeles, not a single local, state or federal public official was willing to go to the airport to meet Dr. King -- except one: Kenny Hahn.

Ignoring all the warnings of 'political cost,' Kenny Hahn went to the airport to welcome Dr. King to the City of Angels. That day, Janice learned a lesson she would never forget: that she must never let anything stop her from standing up for justice.

Janice always knew she wanted to serve her community, but public office wasn't always her path. She was a teacher, a businesswoman, and a single mother of three children.

In time, however, Janice started to believe that the best way she could effect change and fight for the hard-working people of her community was in elected office. In 2001, she was elected Councilwoman of the 15th District of the City of Los Angeles, where she served the communities of San Pedro, Watts, Wilmington, Harbor City, and Harbor Gateway for almost a decade.

Janice founded the bi-partisan Congressional PORTS Caucus with Republican Ted Poe of Texas, bringing together lawmakers from all across the political spectrum to work together on strengthening and securing America's ports.

She championed the creation of a green technology incubator at the Port of L.A. -- tackling the challenge of greening America's Port while creating jobs and a proving ground for the revolutionary new technologies of the 21st century.

Janice has fought and won the difficult battles to give working men and women the wages, benefits and dignity they have earned. She secured affordable healthcare for LAX workers, and helped hotel workers earn a living wage and respectable working conditions. Combating the ongoing tragedy of gang violence, Janice has worked to build a comprehensive anti-gang strategy that incorporates prevention, intervention, after-school programs and job training -- not just enforcement.

A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Janice also holds an Honorary Doctorate from Pepperdine University. In recognition of her distinguished leadership, Janice has received several awards, including the Rosa Parks Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Lillian Mobley Grassroots Catalyst Award from the National Women's Political Caucus -- South Bay, the Public Service Award from the African American Chamber of Commerce, the Bold Vision Award from the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, the Recognition Award from the Harbor Area Gang Alternative Program, and enshrinement on the Promenade of Prominence in Watts.

Janice is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles and lives in San Pedro. She is the daughter of the late Ramona Hahn and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn and the sister of James Hahn, the former Mayor of Los Angeles. Janice has two sons, Danny and Mark, a daughter, Katy, and five beautiful grandchildren: McKenna, Brooklyn, Isabela, Josiah, and Luke.