California's All-Time Voter Registration Record-Setter, Sylvia Levin, Dead at 91;...

California's All-Time Voter Registration Record-Setter, Sylvia Levin, Dead at
91; Had Been Honored by LA City Council, CA Sec. of State, and Congress for
Increasing Voter Participation

LOS ANGELES, June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sylvia Levin, honored in 2007
by the Los Angeles City Council with a resolution commemorating her setting
the all-time California, and perhaps U.S., record for registering voters --
now more than 47,000 -- died at 91 yesterday from complications of a stroke.
On Levin's 90th birthday, September 14, 2007, the Council had commended Levin
as a volunteer for "registering voters for decades, her belief in the
Constitution and making the Constitution work."

Santa Monica resident Levin registered voters in front of the Westwood Post
Office, the Malibu Post Office, Sunya Currie on Abbott Kinney in Venice, and
Westwood Village Farmers Market.

According to her son, Chuck Levin, 62, also of Santa Monica, Sylvia spoke with
more than 470,000 people since she began in 1973.

Sylvia Levin said in 2007, "It helps when eligible citizens become voters. No
matter what the issues are -- such as the environment, the war in Iraq, Social
Security, health care -- citizens are involved. You keep the power to vote
forever."

In 1997, Cong. Waxman said in the Congressional Record, "She has done more to
increase voter participation than virtually anyone we know."

In 2001, Assemblyman Paul Koretz (recently elected to the LA City Council)
nominated her for, and Secretary of State Bill Jones inducted her into the
Voter Participation Hall of Fame for her "longstanding leadership... exemplary
voter outreach efforts... registering Californians to vote."

The June 14, 2007 Malibu Magazine named her "Best Patriot."

Robert Weiner, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. House Aging Committee under
Chairman Claude Pepper and later a White House senior staff member and close
Levin family friend, recently joined Levin as she registered voters. A man in
his forties came up to the table and said to Levin, "I've been looking to
register to vote, and you're like a mirage, I found you."

Weiner said today, "She was a model of love and passion for our country and
for improving it... sitting at her table registering more voters than anyone
in California history, maybe even U.S. history, right through the age of
almost 92. What a model of aging with mission intact, and the mission itself
is a wonderful message to do what we can, always, and to be involved in our
politics and government. I'm not sure whether mother or son influenced the
other more on the importance of grassroots political involvement and
registering people to vote. They both have been so devoted to this critical
effort."

A public tribute and memorial is being planned for September.

Donations on her behalf may be made to The First Vote, to which Sylvia Levin
dedicated more than 36 years - PO Box 241870, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

Contact: Bob Weiner 301-283-0821 or 202-329-1700/Chuck Levin 310-980-6769

SOURCE Robert Weiner Associates

Bob Weiner of Robert Weiner Associates, +1-301-283-0821, +1-202-329-1700; or
Chuck Levin of the Levin Family, +1-310-980-6769