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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States
Congress
Lorraine H. Tong
Analyst in American National Government
July 7, 2010
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
97-398
CRS Report for Congress
P
repared for Members and Committees of Congress
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
Summary
In the 111th Congress, a record 13 Asian Pacific Americans were elected to the United States
Congress: 2 Senators, 9 Representatives, and 2 Delegates. Of the 41 Asian Pacific Americans who
have served in Congress from 1903 to the present, there have been 5 Senators (3 of whom have
also served in the House), 16 Representatives, 7 territorial Delegates, and 13 Resident
Commissioners from the Philippine Islands. Resident Commissioners served from 1907-1946
while the Philippines was a U.S. territory and commonwealth (all were Philippine born). Of the
28 Asian Pacific Americans who were not resident commissioners, 18 were Democrats and 10
were Republicans.
The ancestry of these Asian Pacific Americans has included Chinese, Chamorro, Filipino, Asian
Indian, Japanese, Korean, Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Thai, and Vietnamese. They have
represented California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, American Samoa, Guam, and
the Northern Mariana Islands. They have served in leadership positions, including committee and
subcommittee chairmanships.
This report presents information on Senators, Representatives, and Delegates, including party
affiliations, length and dates of service, and committee assignments. The bipartisan and bicameral
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is also discussed in this report. It will be updated
in each new Congress when information becomes available, or as events warrant.
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Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
Background and Previous Occupations........................................................................................ 3
Leadership in Committees and Subcommittees ............................................................................ 3
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus ............................................................................ 4
Tables and Data........................................................................................................................... 5
Alphabetical Listing of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates, Selected
Biographical Information, and Committee Assignments During Their Tenure in Office ............ 6
Tables
Table 1. Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates in the 58th-111th Congresses
(1903-2011) ........................................................................................................................... 14
Table 2. Number of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates by State and
Territory, 58th-111th Congresses (1903-2011) .......................................................................... 18
Table 3. Number of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates in the U.S.
Congress, 58th-111th Congresses (1903-2011) ......................................................................... 19
Table 4. Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands, 60th-79th Congresses
(1907-1946) ........................................................................................................................... 21
Contacts
Author Contact Information ...................................................................................................... 22
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Introduction
In the 111th Congress, a record 13 Asian Pacific Americans1 were elected to the United States
Congress: 2 Senators, 9 Representatives, and 2 Delegates. Of these 13 Members, 5 new Asian
Pacific Americans were elected. There were a number of Members who have the distinction of
being “firsts.” Representative Steve Austria (R-OH), a first-generation Filipino American elected
to Congress; Representative Anh “Joseph” Quang Cao (R-LA), the first Vietnamese American to
be elected to Congress; and Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-MP), the first delegate
elected to represent the Northern Mariana Islands, is Chamorro with Hispanic and English
ancestry. Two new Members won special elections: Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), the first
Chinese American woman elected to Congress on July 14, 2009;2 and Representative Charles K.
Djou (R-HI), a Chinese American with Thai heritage, was elected by special election on May 22,
2010.3
Standard sources4 identify a total of 41 Asian Pacific Americans elected to Congress from 1903 to
the present. Of these 41, there have been 5 Senators (3 of whom have also served in the House),
16 Representatives, 7 territorial Delegates, and 13 Resident Commissioners from the Philippine
Islands. Resident Commissioners served from 1907-1946 while the Philippines was a U.S.
territory and commonwealth (all were Philippine born).5 Of the 28 Asian Pacific Americans who
1 The designation “Asian Pacific American” is commonly used to identify a person having origins in East Asia,
Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, and the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific
Islands. It is also the term used for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, founded in May 1994, and refers
to those who have self-identified themselves as such. In this report, the “Asian Pacific American” designation
encompasses a wide range of ethnic and national identities, rather than a purely geographic designation. Thus, it does
not include those of Australian or New Zealand ancestry, for example. As promulgated by the U.S. Office of
Management and Budget, the official terms to be used in designating these Americans for federal reporting purposes
are “Asians” and “Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.” U.S. Office of Management and Budget, “Revisions
to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity,” Federal Register, vol. 62, no. 210,
October 30, 1997, pp. 58782-58790.
2 A vacancy occurred when Rep. Hilda Solis resigned from the House on February 24, 2009, to serve as Secretary of
the Department of Labor.
3 A vacancy occurred when Rep. Neil Abercrombie resigned from the House on February 28, 2010, to run for governor
of Hawaii.
4 Sources for the information on Asian Pacific Americans presented in this report included the Biographical Directory
of the United States Congress, 1774-present available at http://bioguide.congress.gov/biosearch/biosearch.asp; The
Almanac of American Politics 2000; Politics in America 2000; and various editions of the Congressional Directory.
Information on ancestry was provided to these source books by the Members.
5 The Philippine Islands were part of territory ceded to the United States by Spain under the Treaty of Paris of
December 10, 1898. The Act of July 1902 granted the Philippine Islands the right to elect two Resident Commissioners
to the United States Congress. Historically, U.S. territories were granted nonvoting Delegates to the Congress prior to
statehood. Congress distinguished between the territories acquired after the Spanish-American War and those bound for
statehood. Thus, Congress provided for “resident commissioners” to the United States from Puerto Rico and the
Philippines. Resident Commissioners were not accorded the same status as nonvoting Delegates, although, it should be
noted, the rights of Delegates have changed over time. Resident Commissioners from the Philippines were granted
floor privileges in the House with the right of debate on February 4, 1908. However, they did not have the right to vote
or to serve on standing committees. When the Philippine Islands became a self-governing commonwealth, in transition
to full sovereignty in 1935, the number of Resident Commissioners was reduced from two to one. On July 14, 1946, the
Philippines became fully independent and the office of Resident Commissioner was terminated (P.L. 73-127). For the
purposes of this study, a separate table listing Resident Commissioners from the Philippines is included at the end of
the report.
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were not Resident Commissioners, 18 were Democrats6 and 10 were Republicans. The ancestry
of these Asian Pacific Americans has included Chinese, Chamorro, Filipino, Asian Indian,
Japanese, Korean, Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Thai, and Vietnamese. 7 These Asian Pacific
Americans have represented California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, American
Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.8 Nine Asian Pacific Americans have
represented Hawaii, and eight have represented California. They have served in leadership
positions, including committee and subcommittee chairmanships.
The first Asian Pacific American Member of Congress was Representative Dalip Singh Saund (D-
CA), an immigrant from India who served in the House from 1957 to 1963. The first Asian
Pacific American Senator elected to Congress was Hiram Leong Fong (R-HI), who was seated on
August 24, 1959, as one of Hawaii’s first two Senators after its admission to the Union. Senator
Fong also was the first American of Chinese ancestry elected to Congress. Early in the 20th
century, Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole represented the territory of Hawaii from 1903 to 1922 as a
non-voting Delegate to the House. He was related to the Hawaiian royal family, and also held the
title of prince.
On June 28, 2010, Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) was elected President pro tempore of the
Senate.9 He is the Asian Pacific American with the longest congressional service. Senator Inouye
was the first American of Japanese ancestry to be elected to Congress, and he was Hawaii’s first
Member of the House after its admission to the Union. Senator Inouye began his service on
August 24, 1959, and was subsequently elected in 1962 to the Senate, where he has served since
January 3, 1963.
There have been only five Asian Pacific American women who have served in Congress.
Representative Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Representative Doris O. Matsui10 (D-CA) in the
110th Congress, and both were reelected to the 111th Congress. Representative Judy Chu was
elected to the House in a special election in the 111th Congress.11 The other two were
Representative Patsy T. Mink (D-HI), the first Asian Pacific American woman to be elected to
Congress, and Representative Patricia Fukuda Saiki (R-HI).
This report presents information on Senators, Representatives, and Delegates, including party
affiliations, length and dates of service, and committee assignments. It also discusses the
bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).
6 Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan was elected as an Independent to the 111th Congress, and changed from an
Independent to a Democrat on February 23, 2009.
7 Sen. Daniel K. Akaka is Native Hawaiian and also Chinese American; Representative Robert Scott (D-VA) is African
American with Filipino ancestry; Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-MP) is Chamorro with Hispanic and
English ancestry; and Delegate Robert Underwood (D-Guam) is Chamorro and also Hispanic.
8 Legislation was enacted to provide for the election of one Delegate from the Northern Mariana Islands (P.L. 110-
229).
9 S.Res. 567.
10 Rep. Doris Matsui won a special election on March 8, 2005, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband
Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-CA), who had been elected to the 109th Congress, on January 1, 2005.
11 Rep. Judy Chu won a special election on July 14, 2009, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep. Hilda
Solis.
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Background and Previous Occupations
Many of the Asian Pacific Americans have had similar educational and professional backgrounds.
Nine have been educators, including two high school principals, three college professors, and two
presidents of a state college and a university system. Eleven have held law degrees or practiced
law; two have also been judges. Many have held elected state or local offices before seeking a
congressional seat: 12 have served in state legislatures, two were lieutenant governors, and three
have been mayors.
Twelve Asian Pacific Americans have U.S. military experience, and two have served in other
armed forces. One was a brigadier general. Some were decorated war veterans, including one
Medal of Honor recipient.
Leadership in Committees and Subcommittees
Three Asian Pacific Americans have chaired committees—Senators Inouye12 and Akaka13 and
Representative Norman Y. Mineta.14 Eight Asian Pacific Americans have chaired
subcommittees—Senators Inouye, Akaka, and Matsunaga;15 Representatives Jay C. Kim,16
Norman Y. Mineta, Robert C. Scott, David Wu; and Delegate Eni F. H. Faleomavaega. In
addition, Representative Robert T. Matsui served as acting chair of a subcommittee.
In the 111th Congress, several Asian Pacific Americans chair committees and subcommittees. In
the Senate, Senator Inouye is chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the
12 Senator Inouye has held other leadership positions prior to the 111th Congress. In the 110th Congress, he chaired the
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and also chaired the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on
Defense. When the Democrats gained the majority in the Senate in June 2001 (107th Congress), Senator Inouye became
chair of the Committee on Indian Affairs. He also assumed the chair of the Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Defense, and the chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee
on Communications. Senator Inouye was the first chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence from 1976 to
1977, and was the Senate chair of the Secret Military Assistance to Iran and Nicaragua Opposition Select Committee
(Iran-Contra Committee) from 1987 to 1988. From 1987 to 1994, he was chairman of the Select Committee on Indian
Affairs. Senator Inouye has also chaired the following Senate subcommittees: the Senate Appropriations
Subcommittees on the District of Columbia (1971-1972), Foreign Operations (1973-1980, 1987-1988), and Defense
(1989-1994); the Senate Commerce Subcommittees on Foreign Commerce and Tourism (1971-1976), Merchant
Marine and Tourism (1977-1980), and Communications (1987-1994); and the Intelligence Subcommittee on Budget
Authorization (1979-1980).
13 In the 110th Congress, Senator Akaka chaired the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and also chaired three subcommittees:
the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support; the Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia;
and the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks Prior to the current Congress. In June of 2001
(107th Congress), he became chair of three subcommittees: the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and
Management Support, the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Historic Preservation and
Recreation, and the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services.
14 Rep. Mineta was chair of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee (1993-1994). Prior to chairing the
full committee, he chaired the Subcommittees on Public Buildings and Grounds (1977-1978), Oversight and Review
(1979-1980), Aviation (1980-1989), and Surface Transportation (1990-1992).
15 Sen. Matsunaga was chair of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Tourism and Sugar (1977-1980).
16 In the 105th Congress, Representative Jay C. Kim (R-CA), the first Korean American to be elected to Congress,
chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development.
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Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Senator Akaka is chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Committee and is also the chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District
of Columbia. In the House, Representative Scott is chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on
Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Representative Wu17 is chair of the House Science and
Technology Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, and Delegate Faleomavaega is chair of
the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment. All of
the House subcommittee chairs held the same leadership positions in the 110th Congress.
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
The bicameral and bipartisan Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) was
established on May 16, 1994. According to CAPAC’s website, since its founding, CAPAC has
continued its commitment to promote and secure equal rights for not only Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders, but all Americans; and to educate other Members about the history,
contributions, and concerns of Asian Pacific Americans. Representative Mineta, one of the
founders of the caucus, served as the first chair of CAPAC. Upon Representative Mineta’s
resignation from the House, Representative Mink became chair of the caucus and served in that
position through the 105th Congress. In both the 104th and 105th Congresses, Delegate Robert
Underwood was vice chair of the caucus, and Senator Akaka served as secretary of the caucus. In
the 106th Congress, Delegate Underwood chaired the caucus, Representative Wu served as vice
chair, and Senator Inouye served as secretary. In the 107th Congress, Representative Wu served as
caucus chair, Representative Michael M. Honda served as vice chair, and Senator Inouye
continued as secretary. In the first session of the 108th Congress, Representatives Wu and Honda
continued as chair and vice chair, respectively. In the second session, Representative Honda
became chair, Delegate Faleomavaega became vice chair, Delegate Madeleine Bordallo became
secretary, and Representative Ed Case became whip. In the 109th Congress, Representatives
Honda and Case and Delegates Faleomavaega and Bordallo were all reelected to the same
positions. In the 110th Congress, Representative Honda and Delegates Faleomavaega and
Bordallo continued in their 109th Congress positions.
In the 111th Congress, Representative Honda was again reelected chair of CAPAC. Delegates
Faleomavaega and Bordallo were also reelected to their respective positions as Vice Chair and
Secretary. The Executive Board members are Senators Akaka and Inouye, Representatives Xavier
Becerra, Anh “Joseph” Quang Cao, Al Green, Mazie Hirono, Doris Matsui, Robert Scott, David
Wu, and Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.18 According to the CAPAC website, its top
priorities in the 111th Congress include the economy, education, immigration, healthcare, and
benefits for Filipino WWII veterans. CAPAC has established task forces to address these issues.
Representative Scott chairs the Task Force on Civil Rights; Representative Wu chairs the Task
Force on Education; Delegate Bordallo chairs the Task Force on Health Care; Representative
Green chairs the Task Force on Housing; and Representative Honda chairs the Task Force on
Immigration. Native Hawaiian sovereignty is also listed among its priorities.19 Membership to the
17 Rep. Wu is the first Chinese American to represent a district on the U.S. mainland.
18 The press release is available at http://www.house.gov/list/speech/ca15_honda/officers.html. Rep. Neil Abercrombie
served on the executive board and chaired the Task Force on Immigration until his resignation from the House on
February 28, 2010.
19 Details about CAPAC’s task forces are available at http://www.honda.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&
(continued...)
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caucus is not restricted to those of Asian Pacific ancestry; the caucus is open to all Members of
Congress. Currently, 30 Members have joined CAPAC.20
Tables and Data
This report also provides a list of selected biographical information about 28 Asian Pacific
American Members and Delegates, and their committee assignments during their tenure. Four
tables summarize information about the 41 Asian Pacific Americans who have served in
Congress.
Table 1 shows the Congress, the dates, and the name of the Members and Delegates who served
in the House and Senate. Table 2 shows the state or territory, the number of Members and
Delegates elected from the state or territory, and their names. Table 3 reflects the Congress, years,
total number of Members and Delegates, and the number of Members and Delegates in the House
and Senate. Finally, Table 4 lists Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands, the
Congresses in which they served, and the dates of their service.
Information on committee assignments and leadership positions was obtained from various
editions of the Congressional Directory, various editions of the Official Alphabetical List of the
House of Representatives of the United States, various editions of the Congressional Yellow Book
(a publication of Leadership Directories, Inc.), information on Member websites, and telephone
calls to Member offices.
(...continued)
view=article&id=765&Itemid=325.
20 More information about CAPAC is available at http://honda.house.gov/capac.
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Alphabetical Listing of Asian Pacific American
Members and Delegates, Selected Biographical
Information, and Committee Assignments During
Their Tenure in Office21
AKAKA, DANIEL KAHIKINA. Democrat; a Representative and Senator from Hawaii. Born on
September 11, 1924. Elected to the House of Representatives for the 95th-101st Congresses;
served from January 3, 1977, to May 15, 1990. Appointed to the Senate in 1990 to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Senator Spark Matsunaga and subsequently elected by special
election to the Senate in November 1990. Reelected in 1994, 2000, and 2006; has served in the
Senate since May 16, 1990.
Committee Assignments
H. Agriculture
H. Appropriations
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries
* S. Armed Services
* S. Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
S. Energy and Natural Resources
* S. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
* S. Indian Affairs
* S. Veterans’ Affairs, Chair
S. Select Committee on Ethics
AUSTRIA, STEVE. Republican; a Representative from Ohio. Born October 12, 1958. Elected to
111th Congress; served from January 3, 2009.
Committee Assignments
* H. Budget
* H. Homeland Security
BLAZ, BEN GARRIDO. Republican; a Delegate from Guam. Born on February 14, 1928.
Elected to the 99th-102nd Congresses; served from January 3, 1985, to January 3, 1993.
Committee Assignments
H. Armed Services
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
21 Asterisks indicate current committee assignments.
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CAO, ANH “JOSEPH” QUANG. Republican; a Representative from Louisiana. Born on March
13, 1967. First Vietnamese American to be elected to Congress. Elected to the 111th Congress; has
served since January 3, 2009.
Committee Assignments
* H. Homeland Security
*H. Oversight and Government Reform
* H. Transportation and Infrastructure
CHU, JUDY. Democrat; a Representative from California. Born on July 7, 1953. First Chinese
American woman to be elected to Congress. Elected to the 111th Congress by special election on
July 14, 2009, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Hilda Solis; has
served since July 14, 2009.
Committee Assignment
*H. Education and Labor
*H. Judiciary
*H. Oversight and Government Reform
DJOU, CHARLES K. Republican; a Representative from Hawaii. Born August 9, 1970. First
Chinese American with Thai heritage to be elected to Congress. Elected to the 111th Congress by
special election on May 22, 2010, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative
Neil Abercrombie; has served since May 22, 2010.
Committee Assignments
*H. Armed Services
*H. Budget
FALEOMAVAEGA, ENI F. H. Democrat; a Delegate from American Samoa. Born August 15,
1943. Elected to the 100th-111th Congresses; has served since January 3, 1989.
Committee Assignments
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
H. Education and Labor
* H. Foreign Affairs
* H. Natural Resources
H. Small Business
FONG, HIRAM LEONG. Republican; a Senator from Hawaii. Born on October 15, 1906; died
on August 18, 2004. First Asian Pacific American elected to the Senate and first American of
Chinese ancestry elected to Congress. Elected to the Senate in 1959 upon the admission of
Hawaii to the Union, reelected in 1964 and 1970; served from August 21, 1959, to January 3,
1977.
Committee Assignments
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S. Appropriations
S. Interior and Insular Affairs
S. Judiciary
S. Post Office and Civil Service
S. Public Works
HAYAKAWA, SAMUEL ICHIYE. Republican; a Senator from California. Born on July 18,
1906; died on February 26, 1992. Elected to the Senate in 1976; served from January 3, 1977, to
January 3, 1983.
Committee Assignments
S. Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
S. Budget
S. Labor and Human Resources
S. Interior and Insular Affairs
S. Foreign Relations
HIRONO, MAZIE KEIKO. Democrat; a Representative from Hawaii. Born on November 3,
1947. Elected to the 110th and 111th Congresses; has served since January 3, 2007.
Committee Assignments
* H. Education and Labor
H. Small Business
* H. Transportation and Infrastructure
HONDA, MICHAEL M. Democrat; a Representative from California. Born on June 27, 1941.
Elected to the 107th-110th Congresses; has served since January 3, 2001. He served as regional
whip for the 107th and 108th Congresses. In the 110th Congress, he was named Democratic senior
whip.
Committee Assignments
* H. Appropriations
H. Budget
H. Science and Technology
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
INOUYE, DANIEL KEN. Democrat; a Representative and Senator from Hawaii. Born on
September 7, 1924. First American of Japanese ancestry elected to Congress. Elected to the
House for the 86th and 87th Congresses; served from August 21, 1959, to January 3, 1963. Elected
to the Senate in 1962, reelected in 1968, 1974, 1980, 1986, 1992, 1998, and 2004; has served in
the Senate since January 3, 1963. He served as assistant majority whip from 1975 to 1976 and
deputy Democratic whip from 1981 to 1986. From 1977 to 1988, he was secretary of the Senate
Democratic Conference. From 1989 to 1994, he chaired the Democratic Steering Committee. On
June 28, 2010, he was elected President pro tempore of the Senate.
Committee Assignments
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H. Agriculture
H. Banking and Currency
S. Armed Services
S. District of Columbia
S. Public Works
Joint Committee on the Library
Joint Committee on Printing
* S. Appropriations, chair
* S. Commerce, Science, and Transportation, (chair in previous Congresses)
* S. Indian Affairs (chair in previous Congresses)
* S. Rules and Administration
S. Select Committee on Intelligence, chair
Select Committee on Secret Military Assistance to Iran and Nicaragua Opposition (Iran-
Contra Committee), Senate chair
JINDAL, Bobby. Republican; a Representative from Louisiana. Born on June 10, 1971. Elected
to the 109th and 110th Congresses; served from January 3, 2005 until his resignation on January
14, 2008. In the 109th Congress, he was elected Republican freshman class president. He served
as assistant majority whip in the 109th Congress, and as assistant minority whip in the first session
of the 110th Congress. Elected to be governor of Louisiana; sworn in on January 14, 2008.
Committee Assignments
H. Education and the Workforce
H. Homeland Security
H. Natural Resources
KALANIANAOLE, JONAH KUHIO. Republican; a Delegate from the Territory of Hawaii.
Born on March 26, 1871; died on January 7, 1922. Elected to the 58th-67th Congresses; served
from March 4, 1903, to January 7, 1922.
Committee Assignments
H. Agriculture
H. Coinage, Weights and Measures
H. Post Office and Post-Roads
H. Private Land Claims
H. Territories
KIM, JAY C. Republican; a Representative from California. Born on March 27, 1939. First
American of Korean ancestry elected to Congress. Elected to the 103rd-105th Congresses; served
from January 3, 1993, to January 3, 1999. He was Republican sophomore class whip in the 104th
Congress.
Committee Assignments
H. Small Business
H. International Relations
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
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MATSUI, DORIS OKADA.. Democrat; a Representative from California. Born on September
25, 1944. Elected to the 109th Congress in a special election on March 8, 2005, to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of her husband, Representative Robert T. Matsui; reelected to the 110th and
111th Congresses; has served since March 8, 2005.
Committee Assignments
* H. Energy and Commerce
* H. Rules
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
H. Science and Technology
MATSUI, ROBERT TAKEO. Democrat; a Representative from California. Born on September
17, 1941; died on January 1, 2005. Elected to the 96th-109th Congresses; served from January 3,
1979, to January 1, 2005. He served and was majority whip at large from 1987 to 1994 and
served as minority whip at large from 1995 to 2003, and as minority whip at large in the 108th
Congress.
Committee Assignments
H. Budget
H. Government Operations
H. Interstate and Foreign Commerce
H. Judiciary
H. Ways and Means
MATSUNAGA, SPARK MASAYUKI. Democrat; Representative and Senator from Hawaii.
Born October 8, 1916; died on April 15, 1990. Elected to the House of Representatives for the
88th-94th Congresses; served from January 3, 1963, to January 3, 1977. Elected to the Senate in
1976, reelected in 1982 and 1988; served from January 3, 1977, to April 15, 1990. He served as
chief deputy majority whip from 1979 to 1980 and chief deputy minority whip from 1981 to
1986, and from 1987 to 1988 he was chief deputy majority whip.
Committee Assignments
H. Agriculture
H. Post Office and Civil Service
H. Rules
S. Commerce
S. Energy
S. Finance
S. Foreign Relations
S. Labor and Human Resources
S. Veterans’ Affairs
MINETA, NORMAN YOSHIO. Democrat; a Representative from California. Born November
12, 1931. Elected to the House for the 94th-104th Congresses. Served from January 3, 1975, until
his resignation on October 10, 1995. Confirmed by the Senate on July 20, 2000, and sworn in as
U.S. Secretary of Commerce on July 21, 2000. Confirmed by the Senate on January 24, 2001,
sworn in as U.S. Secretary of Transportation on January 25, 2001, served until July 7, 2006. He
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was a majority whip at large from 1977 to 1981, deputy majority whip from 1982 to 1994, and
deputy minority whip in 1995. He became the first Asian Pacific American to serve in a Cabinet
position when he was sworn in as U.S. Secretary of Commerce on July 21, 2000. He was
nominated to a second Cabinet post and was sworn in as U.S. Secretary of Transportation on
January 25, 2001, and continued in that post until July 7, 2006. He has the distinction of being the
longest serving secretary in the history of the Department of Transportation.
Committee Assignments.
H. Budget
H. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
H. Post Office and Civil Service
H. Public Works and Transportation, chair
H. Science and Technology
MINK, PATSY TAKEMOTO. Democrat; a Representative from Hawaii. Born December 6,
1927; died on September 28, 2002. First Asian Pacific American woman to be elected to
Congress. Elected to the 89th-94th Congresses; served from January 3, 1965, to January 3, 1977.
Appointed Assistant Secretary for the Office of Oceans and International Environmental and
Scientific Affairs, Department of State. Elected again in 1990 in a special election to the 101st
Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Daniel Akaka to the Senate. Reelected
to 102nd-107th Congresses; served until her death on September 28, 2002; posthumously elected to
the 108th Congress on November 5, 2002. She served as secretary of the Democratic Caucus from
1975 to 1977, minority regional whip from 1997 to1998, and served as minority whip at large
from 2001 until her death in September 2002.
Committee Assignments
H. Budget
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
H. Natural Resources
H. Education and the Workforce
H. Government Reform
SABLAN, GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO. A Delegate from the Northern Mariana Islands.
Born on January 19, 1955. He is Chamorro with Hispanic and English ancestry. Elected to the
111th Congress as an Independent; changed from an Independent to a Democrat on February 23,
2009; has served since January 3, 2009.
Committee Assignments
*H. Natural Resources
*H. Education and Labor
SAIKI, PATRICIA FUKUDA. Republican; a Representative from Hawaii. Born on May 28,
1930. Elected to the 100th-101st Congresses; served from January 3, 1987, to January 3, 1991.
Appointed, and confirmed by the Senate on March 21, 1991, to be administrator of the Small
Business Administration after leaving Congress.
Committee Assignments
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
H. Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
H. Merchant Marines and Fisheries
SAUND, DALIP SINGH. Democrat; a Representative from California. Born on September 20,
1899; died August 22, 1973. First American of Indian ancestry to be elected to Congress. Elected
to the 85th-87th Congresses; served from January 3, 1957, to January 3, 1963.
Committee Assignments
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
H. Foreign Affairs
SCOTT, ROBERT CORTEZ. Democrat; a Representative from Virginia. Born on April 30,
1947. An African American with Filipino ancestry. Elected to the 103rd-111th Congresses; has
served since January 3, 1993.
Committee Assignments
* H. Budget
* H. Education and Labor
* H. Judiciary
H. Science, Space, and Technology
H. U.S. National Security and Military Commercial Concerns with the People’s Republic of
China
SUNIA, FOFÓ IOSEFA FITI. Democrat; elected as first Delegate from American Samoa. Born
on March 13, 1937. Elected to the 97th-100th Congresses; served from January 3, 1981, until his
resignation on September 6, 1988.
Committee Assignments
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
H. Merchant Marines and Fisheries
H. Public Works and Transportation
UNDERWOOD, ROBERT ANACLETUS. Democrat; a Delegate from Guam. Born July 13,
1948. Elected to the 103rd-107th Congresses; was not a candidate for the 108th Congress; served
from January 3, 1993, to January 3, 1993; unsuccessful candidate for governor of Guam. In the
105th Congress, he served as a deputy whip for the Democratic Study Group of the House
Democratic Caucus, and also served as Democratic Caucus whip at large for the 105th and 106th
Congresses.
Committee Assignments
H. Education and Labor
H. Armed Services
H. Resources
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WON PAT, ANTONIO BORJA. Democrat; the first Delegate from Guam. Born on December
10, 1908; died on May 1, 1987. Elected to the 93rd-98th Congresses; served from January 3, 1973,
to January 3, 1985.
Committee Assignments
H. Armed Services
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
WU, DAVID. Democrat; Representative from Oregon.22 Born on April 8, 1955. Elected to the
106th-111th Congresses; has served since January 3, 1999. In the 106th Congress, he served as
Democratic freshman class president for the period July-December 2000.
Committee Assignments
* H. Education and Labor
H. Foreign Affairs
* H. Science and Technology
22 Rep. Wu is the first Chinese American to represent a district on the U.S. mainland.
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Table 1. Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates
in the 58th-111th Congresses (1903-2011)
Congress Dates House Senate
58th-67th
1903-1923
Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaolea —
68th-84th 1923-1957
—
—
85th
1957-1959
Dalip Singh Saund
—
86th 1959-19
Daniel Ken In
61 ouye
Hiram Leong Fong
Dalip Singh Saund
87th 1961-19
Daniel Ken In
63 ouye
Hiram Leong Fong
Dalip Singh Saund
88th
1963-1965
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga Hiram Leong Fong
Daniel Ken Inouye
89th 1965-19
Spark Masayu
67 ki Matsunaga Hiram Leong Fong
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Daniel Ken Inouye
90th 1967-19
Spark Masayu
69 ki Matsunaga Hiram Leong Fong
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Daniel Ken Inouye
91st 1969-19
Spark Masayu
71 ki Matsunaga Hiram Leong Fong
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Daniel Ken Inouye
92nd 1971-19
Spark Masay
73 uki Matsunaga Hiram Leong Fong
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Daniel Ken Inouye
93rd 1973-19
Spark Masayu
75 ki Matsunaga Hiram Leong Fong
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Daniel Ken Inouye
Antonio Borja Won Pat
94th 1975-19
Spark Masayu
77 ki Matsunaga Hiram Leong Fong
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Daniel Ken Inouye
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Antonio Borja Won Pat
95th 1977-19
Daniel Kahik
79 ina Akaka
Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Daniel Ken Inouye
Antonio Borja Won Pat
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
96th 1979-19
Daniel Kahik
81 ina Akaka
Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa
Robert Takeo Matsui
Daniel Ken Inouye
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Antonio Borja Won Pat
97th 1981-19
Daniel Kahik
83 ina Akaka
Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa
Robert Takeo Matsui
Daniel Ken Inouye
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia
Antonio Borja Won Pat
98th 1983-19
Daniel Kahik
85 ina Akaka
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia
Antonio Borja Won Pat
99th 1985-19
Daniel Kahik
87 ina Akaka
Daniel Ken Inouye
Ben Garrido Blaz
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Robert Takeo Matsui
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia
100th 1987-19
Daniel Kahik
89 ina Akaka
Daniel Ken Inouye
Ben Garrido Blaz
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Robert Takeo Matsui
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Patricia Fukuda Saiki
Fofó Iosefa Fiti Suniab
101st 1989-19
Ben Garrido
91 Blaz
Daniel Kahikina Akakac
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Patricia Fukuda Saiki
102nd 1991-19
Ben Garrido
93 Blaz
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Patsy Takemoto Mink
103rd 1993-19
Eni F.H. Fale
95 omavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Jay C. Kim
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Robert Cortez Scott
Robert Anacletus
Underwood
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
104th 1995-19
Eni F.H. Fale
97 omavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Jay C. Kim
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui
Norman Yoshio Minetad
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Robert Cortez Scott
Robert Anacletus
Underwood
105th 1997-19
Eni F.H. Fale
99 omavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Jay C. Kim
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Robert Cortez Scott
Robert Anacletus
Underwood
106th 1999-20
Eni F.H. Fale
01 omavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Robert Takeo Matsui
Daniel Ken Inouye
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Robert Cortez Scott
Robert Anacletus
Underwood
David Wu
107th 2001-20
Eni F.H. Fale
03 omavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Michael M. Honda
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui
Patsy Takemoto Minke
Robert Cortez Scott
Robert Anacletus
Underwood
David Wu
108th 2003-20
Eni F.H. Fale
05 omavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Michael M. Honda
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsuif
Robert Cortez Scott
David Wu
109th 2005-20
Eni F.H. Fale
07 omavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Michael M. Honda
Daniel Ken Inouye
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
Bobby Jindal
Doris Okada Matsuig
Robert Cortez Scott
David Wu
110th 2007-20
Eni F.H. Fale
09 omavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Mazie Keiko Hirono
Daniel Ken Inouye
Michael M. Honda
Bobby Jindalh
Doris Okada Matsui
Robert Cortez Scott
David Wu
111th 2009-20
Steve Austria
11
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Anh “Joseph” Quang Cao Daniel Ken Inouye
Judy Chui
Charles K. Djouj
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Mazie Keiko Hirono
Michael M. Honda
Doris Okada Matsui
Gregorio Kilili Camacho
Sablan
Robert Cortez Scott
David Wu
a. Del. Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole died on January 7, 1922.
b. Del. Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia resigned on September 6, 1988.
c. Sen. Daniel Kahikina Akaka also served in the House in the 101st Congress until May 15, 1990. However, he
was appointed to the Senate and was sworn in on May 16, 1990, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Sen. Spark Masayuki Matsunaga on April 15, 1990. Subsequently, he was elected to the Senate in November
1990.
d. Rep. Norman Yoshio Mineta resigned on October 10, 1995.
e. Rep. Patsy Takemoto Mink died on September 28, 2002.
f.
Rep. Robert Takeo Matsui died on January 1, 2005.
g. Rep. Doris Okada Matsui won a special election on March 8, 2005, to fill the vacancy caused by the death
of her husband, Rep. Robert Matsui, and was sworn in on March 10, 2005. Although Rep. Robert Matsui
was elected to the 109th Congress, he died on January 1, 2005
h. Rep. Bobby Jindal resigned on January 14, 2008; sworn in as governor of Louisiana on the same day.
i.
Rep. Judy Chu won a special election on July 14, 2009, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep.
Hilda Solis.
j.
Rep. Charles K. Djou won a special election on May 22, 2010, to fil the vacancy caused by the resignation
of Rep. Neil Abercrombie.
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Table 2. Number of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates
by State and Territory, 58th-111th Congresses (1903-2011)
State or Territory
Number Elected
Name
California
Judy Chu
8
Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa
Michael M. Honda
Jay C. Kim
Robert Takeo Matsui
Doris Okada Matsui
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Dalip Singh Saund
Hawaii 9
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Charles K. Djou
Mazie Keiko Hirono
Daniel Ken Inouye
Hiram Leong Fong
Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Patricia Fukuda Saiki
Louisiana 2
Anh “Joseph” Quang Cao
Bobby Jindal
Ohio 1
Steve
Austria
Oregon 1
David
Wu
Virginia 1
Robert
Cortez
Scott
American Samoa
2
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Fofó Iosefa Fifi Sunia
Ben Garrido Blaz
Guam 3
Robert Anacletus Underwood
Antonio Borja Won Pat
Northern Mariana Islands
1
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan
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Table 3. Number of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates
in the U.S. Congress, 58th-111th Congresses (1903-2011)
Congress
Years
Total in Congress
House
Senate
58th 1903-1905
1
1 -
59th 1905-1907
1
1 -
60th 1907-1909
1
1 -
61st 1909-1911
1
1 -
62nd 1911-1913
1
1 -
63rd 1913-1915
1
1 -
64th 1915-1917
1
1 -
65th 1917-1919
1
1 -
66th 1919-1921
1
1 -
67th 1921-1923
1
1 -
68th-84th 1923-1957
-
-
-
85th 1957-1961
1
1 -
86th 1959-1961
3
2 1
87th 1961-1963
3
2 1
88th 1963-1965
3
1 2
89th 1965-1967
4
2 2
90th 1967-1969
4
2 2
91st 1969-1971
4
2 2
92nd 1971-1973
4
2 2
93rd 1973-1975
5
3 2
94th 1975-1977
6
4 2
95th 1977-1979
6
3 3
96th 1979-1981
7
4 3
97th 1981-1983
8
5 3
98th 1983-1985
7
5 2
99th 1985-1987
7
5 2
100th 1987-1989
8
6a 2
101st 1989-1991
9
6b 3
102nd 1991-1993
7
5 2
103rd 1993-1995
9
7 2
104th 1995-1997
9
7c 2
105th 1997-1999
8
6 2
106th 1999-2001
8
6 2
107th 2001-2003
9
7d 2
108th 2003-2005
7
5 2
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress
Congress
Years
Total in Congress
House
Senate
109th 2005-2007
8
6e 2
110th 2007-2009
9
[8]f 7[6]f 2
111th 2009-2011
13g 11
2
a. Del. Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia resigned on September 6, 1988.
b. Although six Asian Pacific Americans were elected to the House in the 101st Congress, only five served at
any one time. Representative Patsy Mink (who had previously served in the 89th-94th Congresses) did not
become a member of the House again until September 1990, when she was elected to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Daniel K. Akaka. Senator Akaka had been appointed to the Senate to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Spark Matsunaga.
c. Rep. Norman Yoshio Mineta resigned on October 10, 1995.
d. Rep. Patsy Takemoto Mink died on September 28, 2002. She was posthumously elected to the 108th
Congress on November 5, 2002.
e. Rep. Doris Okada Matsui won a special election on March 8, 2005, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
her husband, Rep. Robert Matsui, and was sworn in on March 10, 2005. Although Rep. Robert Matsui was
elected to the 109th Congress, he died on January 1, 2005.
f.
The number in brackets reflects the resignation of Rep. Bobby Jindal on January 14, 2008; he was sworn in
as governor of Louisiana on the same day.
g. Rep. Judy Chu won a special election on July 14, 2009, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Rep.
Hilda Solis. Rep. Charles K. Djou won a special election on May 22, 2010, to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Rep. Neil Abercrombie.
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Table 4. Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands,
60th-79th Congresses (1907-1946)
Congress Dates
Resident
Commissioners
60th
1907-1909
Benito Y Tuason Legardaa
Pablo Ocampoa
61st
1909-1911
Benito Y Tuason Legarda
Pablo Ocampob
Manuel Luis Quezonc
62nd
1911-1913
Benito Y Tuason Legarda
Manuel Luis Quezon
63rd
1913-1915
Manuel Luis Quezon
Manuel Earnshaw
64th 1915-1917
Manuel
Luis
Quezond
Manuel Earnshaw
65th
1917-1919
Jaime Carlos de Veyra
Teodoro Rafael Yangco
66th
1919-1921
Jaime Carlos de Veyra
Teodoro Rafael Yangcoe
Isauro Gabaldonf
67th
1921-1923
Jaime Carlos de Veyra
Isauro Gabaldon
68th 1923-1925
Isauro
Gabaldon
Pedro Guevara
69th 1925-1927
Isauro
Gabaldon
Pedro Guevara
70th 1927-1929
Isauro
Gabaldong
Pedro Guevara
71st
1929-1931
Pedro Guevara
Camilo Osias
72nd
1931-1933
Pedro Guevara
Camilo Osias
73rd
1933-1935
Pedro Guevara
Camilo Osias
74th 1935-1937
Pedro
Guevarah
Francisco Aan Delgadoh
Quintin Paradesi
75th
1937-1939
Quintin Paradesj
Joaquin Miguel Elizaldek
76th 1939-1941
Joaquin
Miguel
Elizalde
77th 1941-1943
Joaquin
Miguel
Elizalde
78th 1943-1945
Joaquin
Miguel
Elizaldel
Carlos Pena Romulom
79th
1945-1947
Carlos Pena Romulon
Note: The Philippine Islands were part of territory ceded to the United States by Spain under the Treaty of
Paris of December 10, 1898. The Act of July 1902 granted the Philippine Islands the right to elect two Resident
Commissioners to the United States. In 1935, the Philippine Islands became the Commonwealth of the
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Philippines and the number of Resident Commissioners was reduced from two to one. In 1946, the Philippines
became fully independent, and the office of the Resident Commissioner was terminated.
a. Elected November 22, 1907, for a term of two years; granted the privileges of the floor of the House of
Representatives, with the right of debate, February 4, 1908.
b. Term expired November 22, 1909.
c. Elected for a term of two years beginning November 23, 1909.
d. Resigned October 15, 1916; vacancy throughout the remainder of 64th Congress.
e. Term expired March 3, 1920.
f.
Elected for a term of three years beginning March 4, 1920.
g. Resigned July 16, 1928, having been nominated for election to the Philippine House of Representatives;
vacancy throughout the remainder of the 70th Congress.
h. When the new government of the Commonwealth of the Philippine Islands was inaugurated, the terms of
office of the Resident Commissioners of the Philippine Islands expired. Both Resident Commissioners
served until February 14, 1936, when a selected successor qualified (48 Stat. 456). Under this law, the
number of Resident Commissioners was reduced from two to one.
i.
Appointed December 21, 1935, to fill vacancy caused by the expiration of the terms of Pedro Guevara and
Francisco A. Delgado, due to the new form of government, and took his seat on February 14, 1936.
j.
Resigned September 29, 1938.
k. Appointed September 29, 1938, to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Quintin Paredes; service began on
January 3, 1939, upon convening of 76th Congress.
l.
Resigned August 9, 1944.
m. Appointed to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Joaquin M. Elizalde, and succeeded him on August 21,
1944.
n. Office of Resident Commissioner terminated on July 4, 1946.
Author Contact Information
Lorraine H. Tong
Analyst in American National Government
ltong@crs.loc.gov, 7-5846
Congressional Research Service
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