In 1941, Kazen graduated from the Cumberland School of Law in Lebanon, Tennessee, since removed to Birmingham, Alabama.

During World War II, Kazen fought in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy as a pilot in Troop Carrier Command.

It had been created when Texas' previous congressional map was thrown out by the United States Supreme Court in the case Wesberry v. Sanders.

In 1984, Kazen's opponent in the Democratic primary was Bexar County Circuit Court Judge Albert Bustamante.

After Kazen's defeat, no non-Hispanic white Democrat represented a significant portion of San Antonio in the House until Lloyd Doggett had his Austin-based district redrawn to include a section of San Antonio.