Asian Fortune Your source for all things Asian American
By Devika Koppikar
As Susan Jin Davis watched the election coverage on Nov. 6, she was increasingly anxious and emotional about the congressional races of all the AAPI candidates. But as the results became final, Davis, a board member of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), was able to relax and celebrate the victories of five candidates in races for the U.S. House of Representatives, and one in the Senate.
At an APAICS/CAPAC reception Nov. 29 honoring all six victors, she said, “We now have a Congress that better represents America. The people making decisions for Americans will look like America.”
California Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) declared, “What a wonderful outcome, and it was all done on purpose. It wasn’t an accident. In the past, Asians have been marginalized. In this election, we provided the marginal victory in places like Virginia, Nevada, and Arizona.” Colleague Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, observed, “Americans will be sending the largest number of AAPIs to ever to serve in Congress.”
In late November, the Members-elect, all Democrats, descended upon the U.S. Capitol for orientation for the upcoming 113th Congress. Their days were spent meeting with party leaders, learning the basics of their jobs and Congressional procedures, hiring staff and vying for office space.
The New AAPI Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, beginning in January:
Mark Takano—41st Congressional District of California
Takano, a teacher for 23 years, is a Japanese American and the first openly gay person of color who will serve in Congress. He plans to highlight education and small business entrepreneurship.
“My grandfather couldn’t buy property because he was an immigrant,” he noted at the reception. “He wasn’t allowed to be naturalized in this country. I’ll never forget my grandfather and it is his voice that I will be true to as I make decisions in Congress.”
“My first piece of legislation will likely be a bill encouraging young people to enter entrepreneurship and receive micro-loans where they can test out their ideas through a high school or college program,” said Takano, who is hoping for a seat on the House Education and Workforce Committee.
Tulsi Gabbard—2nd Congressional District of Hawaii
The youngest of the AAPI group, Gabbard, 31, will be the first Hindu and first Pacific Islander to serve in Congress. She was born in Leloaloa, American Samoa and moved to Hawaii at the age of two. She served in Iraq with the Army National Guard and, in 2009, won a seat on the Honolulu City Council.
She issued a call to action at the reception.
“I ask each of you when you go home tonight to look in the mirror and think about what your offering is in this community. Whether is to be a Member of Congress in the 113th Congress, or if it is to be a community organizer, on the ground or on the front lines, we need to work together in that. This is our family, this is our community and this is our future that we need to fight for,” she said.
Gabbard’s top legislative priorities include helping small business, bringing our troops home, getting the economy back on track, and helping veterans.
Tammy Duckworth—8th Congressional District of Illinois
As the first disabled woman veteran to serve in Congress, Duckworth brings extensive military experience to the House and is seen as a rising star in the Democratic party. She was born in Bangkok, Thailand and will be the first Member of Congress of Thai heritage. (See story, Asian Fortune, October issue.)
Duckworth joined the Army Reserve in 1990 while in graduate school at Georgetown University and became a commissioned officer in 1992. In 2004, Captain Duckworth was injured in Iraq, losing both legs and partial use of her right arm. Duckworth has been an advocate for veterans and her other top issues include the economy, education, the deficit and energy.
Grace Meng—6th Congressional District of New York
Meng will be the first Asian American to represent the Empire State in Congress. She is of Taiwanese descent and had an extensive legal career before being elected to the New York State Assembly in 2008.
“I am a Chinese American, my husband is a Korean American and our two children are very confused,” she joked at the reception. “My parents came to the United States in the 1970s and my father worked in a restaurant. I remember when I was a kid I argued with my teacher because she asked me what a workweek was and she said it was Monday through Friday and I said, ‘no it’s not. It’s seven days.’ And to this day, I still think I’m right.”
“We need to take advantage of this momentum we have. It highlights all of the work we have to do,” she added.
Congresswoman-Elect Meng has listed one of her top priorities as passing the “Buffett rule” so “millionaires can’t get away with lower tax rates than teachers, laborers or secretaries.”
Dr. Ami Bera—7th District of California
It took nine days to count the votes in this close election, but Dr. Bera was finally declared the winner in his race against incumbent Republican Dan Lungren. Bera will be the third Indian American to serve in Congress. A California native, Bera, 47, spent his career as a physician.
“I know I didn’t get here by myself,” he said at the reception. “I know I got here because of the opportunities others before me provided. That is exactly what this election is about”
Healthcare issues will be top priority, and he says he’ll oppose Congressional pay raises until unemployment is below 5% in Sacramento County.
