Judy Chu joins Congress today following her wide lead victory in a special election. Representing the 32nd District of California, Miss Chu replaces Hilda Solis who is now U.S. Labor Secretary. The 59-year old San Gabriel Valley Democrat takes on this new role after a long career in politics spanning 24 years. (See details in today's LA Times.)
This is encouraging news signaling how Asian Americans have continued to come out of the shadows to front and center in today's electoral landscape. Yet it is also shocking that such a milestone did not come any sooner, considering Rep. Chu was barely a year old when an Asian American (Dalip Singh Saund of California) was first elected to Congress in 1956. More than half a decade ago, Asian American visibility is still coming out the fringes.
It was in the 60’s and 70’s that a series of firsts trickled into our historical records. In 1962, Hiram Fong of Hawaii became the first Asian American senator elected into Congress. Two years later, Patsy Takemoto Mink also from Hawaii became the first Asian American woman to serve in Congress. I just wish similar firsts could have happened shortly thereafter.
Judy Chu now joins the roster of Asian Americans currently serving in the U.S. Congress:
Senate
- Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii (Dem), 1963–
- Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii (Dem), 1990–
- Sen. John Ensign of Nevada (Rep), 2001–
House of Representatives
- Rep. Robert C. Scott of Virginia (Dem), 1993–
- Rep. David Wu of Oregon (Dem), 1998–
- Rep. Mike Honda of California (Dem), 2001–
- Rep. Doris Matsui of California (Dem), 2005–
- Rep. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii (Dem), 2007–
- Rep. Steve Austria of Ohio (Dem), 2009–
- Rep. Joseph" Cao of Louisiana (Rep), 2009–
- Rep. Judy Chu of California (Dem), 2009–
Comments