,Elliott Levitas

$Elliott Levitas, a retired partner at Kilpatrick Townsend law firm, who in late 2009 helped engineer a settlement in a massive and contentious Native American land lawsuit that had dragged out in federal courts since 1996. Kilpatrick Townsend represented the Native Americans who were suing the federal government over how land granted to them in the 1880s has become so fractionalized through generations of heirs as to render each parcel nearly worthless. (File photo)$

Elliott Levitas, a retired partner at Kilpatrick Townsend law firm, who in late 2009 helped engineer a settlement in a massive and contentious Native American land lawsuit that had dragged out in federal courts since 1996. Kilpatrick Townsend represented the Native Americans who were suing the federal government over how land granted to them in the 1880s has become so fractionalized through generations of heirs as to render each parcel nearly worthless. (File photo)

Dec 18, 2022

📷When Elliott Levitas became Georgia’s first Jewish congressman in 1975, he was already known for being a public servant who had stood up against racism in the formerly segregated state. And he continued his call to aiding others years afterward, helping to lead a landmark class-action lawsuit on behalf of American Indians against the U.S. government. The legal and political crusader against injustice died Friday, Dec. 16, just 10 days before his 92nd birthday. Levitas would serve five terms in the Legislature and became a leading proponent for the development of Atlanta’s rapid transit system, MARTA. In 1974, he was elected to represent Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District. Levitas headed the subcommittee investigating the Reagan administration’s efforts to undermine the mission of the Environmental Protection Agency, which led to the firing of dozens of senior officials. His environmental efforts as a legislator and U.S. representative also were reflected in his work to create and fund the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area as a national park. Many years later in 2011, the U.S. National Park Service honored Levitas at a ceremony at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The funeral service will be held at noon Monday at the Ahavath Achim Synagogue in Atlanta, with burial at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to ADL Southeast, Georgia Conservancy, Southern Environmental Law Center, Ahavath Achim Synagogue or choice of charity. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care is in charge of arrangements. Read more about Elliott Levitas on ajc.com

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Funeral Home Information

Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care

3734 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd.

Atlanta, GA

30341

https://dresslerjewishfunerals.com/