Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Asian Pacific Americans in the
United States Congress
Lorraine H. Tong
Program Specialist
June 12, 2013
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
97-398
CRS Report for Congress
Pr
epared for Members and Committees of Congress

Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Summary
In the 113th Congress, 13 Asian Pacific Americans were elected to the United States Congress:
1 Senator, 10 Representatives, and 2 Delegates. A total of 52 Asian Pacific Americans have
served in the House and Senate from 1900 to the present: 6 Senators (4 who have also served in
the House), 26 Representatives (including the 4 who served in the Senate), 11 territorial
Delegates, and 13 Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands. Resident Commissioners
served from 1907 to 1946 while the Philippines was a U.S. territory and commonwealth (all were
Philippine born). Asian Pacific Americans served in a total of 56 seats. Of the 39 Asian Pacific
Americans who were not Resident Commissioners, 26 were Democrats (one was elected as an
Independent and subsequently changed party affiliation to Democrat), 12 were Republicans, and
1 was an Independent.
The ancestry of these Asian Pacific Americans has included Chinese, Chamorro, Filipino, Asian
Indian, Japanese, Korean, Native Hawaiian, Samoan, South Asian, Thai, and Vietnamese. They
have represented California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon,
Virginia, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
This report presents information on Senators, Representatives, and Delegates, including previous
occupations and leadership positions (such as committee and subcommittee chairmanships), and
the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. It also provides a list
of Members’ and Delegates’ party affiliations, length and dates of service, and committee
assignments. Also included in the report is a map showing the total number of Asian Pacific
Americans and the states or territories they represent in the 113th Congress. Four separate tables
show (1) the Congress, the dates, and the name of the Members and Delegates who served in the
House and Senate; (2) the state or territory, the number of Members and Delegates elected from
the state or territory, and their names; (3) the Congress, years, total number of Members and
Delegates, and the number of Members and Delegates in the House and Senate; and (4) the
Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands, the Congresses in which they served, and
the dates of their service.
The report will be updated in each new Congress when information becomes available, or as
events warrant.

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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Background and Previous Occupations ........................................................................................... 3
Leadership in Committees and Subcommittees ............................................................................... 4
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus ............................................................................... 5
Map, Tables, and Data ..................................................................................................................... 6
Alphabetical Listing of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates, Selected
Biographical Information, and Committee Assignments During Their Tenure in Office ............. 8

Figures
Figure 1. Total Number of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates and States or
Territories Represented, Elected to the 113th Congress ................................................................ 7

Tables
Table 1. Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates in the 56th-113th Congresses
(1899-2015) ................................................................................................................................ 18
Table 2. Number of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates by State and
Territory, 56th-113th Congresses (1899-2015) ............................................................................. 23
Table 3. Number of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates in the U.S.
Congress, 56th-113th Congresses (1899-2015) ............................................................................ 24
Table 4. Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands, 60th-79th Congresses
(1907-1946) ................................................................................................................................ 26

Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 27
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................... 27

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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Introduction
In the 113th Congress, 13 Asian Pacific Americans1 were elected to the United States Congress:
1 Senator, 10 Representatives, and 2 Delegates. Of these 13 Members, 5 new Asian Pacific
Americans were elected to the House: Representatives Ami Bera (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth
(D-IL), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Grace Meng (D-NY), and Mark Takano (D-CA).
Representative Duckworth, who is Chinese-Thai American, is the first Asian Pacific American
elected from Illinois. Representative Meng, who is Chinese American, is the first Asian Pacific
American to represent New York. Representative Gabbard is the first American Samoan woman
and the first Hindu to be elected to Congress. Representatives Bera, who is Indian American, and
Takano, who is Japanese American, are both representatives from California.
Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), who is Japanese American and who had previously served in the House,
is the first Asian Pacific American woman to be elected to the Senate.
Also re-elected to the 113th Congress were Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), the first Chinese
American woman to be elected to Congress; Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI); Michael Honda (D-CA);
Doris Matsui (D-CA); Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), an African American with Filipino
ancestry; and Delegates Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (D-AS) and Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-
MP), the first Delegate elected to represent the Northern Mariana Islands.
Standard sources2 identified a total of 52 Asian Pacific Americans that have served in 56
congressional seats from 1900 to the present. There have been 6 Senators (4 had previously
served in the House of Representatives), 26 Representatives (including the 4 who later served in
the Senate), 11 territorial Delegates, and 13 Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands.
Resident Commissioners served from 1907 to 1946 while the Philippines was a U.S. territory and
commonwealth (all were Philippine born).3 Of the 39 Asian Pacific Americans who were not

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 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; 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 Members of Congress. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs provided information on
Delegates of Native Hawaiian ancestry.
3 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
(continued...)
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Resident Commissioners, 26 were Democrats (one was elected as an Independent and changed
party affiliation soon after taking office), 12 were Republicans, and 1 was Independent. The
ancestry of these Asian Pacific Americans has included Chinese, Chamorro, Filipino, Asian
Indian, Japanese, Korean, Native Hawaiian, Samoan, South Asian, Thai, and Vietnamese. These
Asian Pacific Americans have represented California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New
York, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.4
Twelve Asian Pacific Americans have represented Hawaii and ten have represented California.
They have served in leadership positions, including committee and subcommittee chairmanships.
The first Asian Pacific American to serve in Congress was Robert William Wilcox (Ind-HI), a
Native Hawaiian, who was the first to represent the territory of Hawaii in the House. He was
elected as a Delegate on November 6, 1900, and served until March 3, 1903. Subsequently,
another Native Hawaiian, Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole (R-HI) represented Hawaii as a Delegate
from March 4, 1903, until his death on January 7, 1922. He was related to the Hawaiian royal
family, and also held the title of prince. Three other Delegates of Native Hawaiian ancestry who
represented Hawaii when it was a territory were William Paul Jarrett (D-HI), from March 4, 1923,
to March 3, 1927; Victor Stewart Kaleoaloha Houston (R-HI), from March 4, 1927, to March 3,
1933; and Samuel Wilder King (R-HI), from January 3, 1935, to January 3, 1943.
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 January 3, 1957, to January 3, 1963.
The first Asian Pacific American Senator elected to Congress was Hiram Leong Fong (R-HI),
who served from August 21, 1959, to January 3, 1977. Senator Fong was 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. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) was the Asian Pacific
American with the longest congressional service. He was the first American of Japanese ancestry
to be elected to Congress, and Hawaii’s first Member of the House after its admission to the
Union, and began his service on August 21, 1959. Senator Inouye was subsequently elected in
1962 to the Senate, where he served until his death on December 17, 2012. He was awarded the
Medal of Honor in June 2000.
Several Members had the distinction of being “firsts” in the 111th Congress: Representative Steve
Austria (R-OH), a first-generation Filipino American, was elected to Congress; Representative
Anh “Joseph” Quang Cao (R-LA), the first Vietnamese American, was 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.
A total of nine Asian Pacific American women have served in Congress. Of this number, a record
seven serve in the 113th Congress. They are Senator Hirono and Representatives Chu,5

(...continued)
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.
4 Legislation was enacted to provide for the election of one Delegate from the Northern Mariana Islands (P.L. 110-
229).
5 Rep. 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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Duckworth, Gabbard, Hanabusa, Matsui,6 and Meng. Two other women who had served in
previous Congresses were Representative Patsy T. Mink (D-HI), the first Asian Pacific American
woman 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. The report provides
information on previous occupations and leadership positions (including committee and
subcommittee chairmanships), and the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific
American Caucus. In addition, there is a map showing the total number of Asian Pacific
Americans and the states or territories they represent in the 113th Congress. There are also four
separate tables that present (1) the Congress, the dates, and the name of the Members and
Delegates who served in the House and Senate; (2) the state or territory, the number of Members
and Delegates elected from the state or territory, and their names; (3) the Congress, years, total
number of Members and Delegates, and the number of Members and Delegates in the House and
Senate; and (4) the Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands, the Congresses in which
they served, and the dates of their service.
Background and Previous Occupations
Many of the Asian Pacific Americans have had similar educational and professional backgrounds.
Eleven have been educators, including two high school principals, four college professors, and
two presidents of a state college and a university system. Fourteen 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: 16 have served in state legislatures, 1 was a governor, 2 were
lieutenant governors, and 4 have been mayors. There has also been a physician: Representative
Bera.
Sixteen Asian Pacific Americans have U.S. military experience, and three have served in other
armed forces. Senator Inouye was a Medal of Honor recipient for his service in World War II.
Two combat veterans were elected to the 113th Congress: Representative Duckworth, an Iraq War
veteran (Purple Heart recipient) and former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Representative Gabbard, who served two tours of combat duty in the
Middle East (Meritorious Service Medal recipient). Both continue to serve in the National Guard:
Representative Duckworth as a lieutenant colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard, and
Representative Gabbard as a captain in the Hawaii Army National Guard.

6 Rep. 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.
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Leadership in Committees and Subcommittees
Three Asian Pacific Americans have chaired committees—Senators Inouye7 and Akaka,8 and
Representative Norman Y. Mineta.9 Eight Asian Pacific Americans have chaired subcommittees—
Senators Inouye, Akaka, and Matsunaga;10 Representatives Jay C. Kim,11 Norman Y. Mineta,
Robert C. Scott, and 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 chaired committees and subcommittees. In
the Senate, Senator Inouye was chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the
Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Senator Akaka was chair of the Senate Veterans’
Affairs Committee and 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, all of the House subcommittee chairs in the 111th Congress held the
same leadership positions in the 110th Congress. Representative Scott was chair of the House
Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Representative Wu12 was
chair of the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, and
Delegate Faleomavaega was chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the
Pacific, and the Global Environment.
In the 112th Congress, Senator Inouye chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee and the
Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense until his death on December 17, 2012. Senator Akaka

7 Senator Inouye held other leadership positions during his decades of service. He served as President pro tempore from
June 28, 2010 until his death on December 17, 2012. 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).
8 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.
9 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).
10 Sen. Matsunaga was chair of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Tourism and Sugar (1977-1980).
11 In the 105th Congress, Rep. 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.
12 Rep. Wu is the first Chinese American to represent a district on the U.S. mainland.
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was chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal
Workforce, and the District of Columbia. In the House, ranking Members of subcommittees
were—Representative Michael Honda on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative
Branch; Representative Scott on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and
Homeland Security; Representative Wu on the House Science, Space, and Technology
Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation; Delegate Faleomavaega on the House Foreign
Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific; and Delegate Sablan on House Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs.
In the 113th Congress, Asian Pacific Americans serving as ranking Members are Representative
Chu on House Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access;
Representative Hanabusa on House National Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska
Native Affairs; Representative Meng on House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and
Workforce; Representative Scott on House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism,
Homeland Security, and Investigations; Representative Takano on House Veterans’ Affairs
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity; Delegate Faleomavaega on the House Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific; and Delegate Sablan on House Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs.
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
The bicameral and bipartisan Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) was
established on May 16, 1994. Membership to the caucus is open to all Members of Congress.
According to CAPAC, the caucus comprises “Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander
descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian
American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community” and works with “other Members and
Caucuses to protect and advance the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans.” The caucus
also will “educate other Members about the history, contributions, and concerns of Asian Pacific
Americans.”13 Currently, there are 41 CAPAC members.14
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 Z. 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

13 For more details about the mission and purpose of the caucus and its activities, see the CAPAC website at
http://capac-chu.house.gov.
14 CAPAC provided this information on April 25, 2013.
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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 were Senators Akaka and Inouye; Representatives Xavier Becerra,
Anh “Joseph” Quang Cao, Al Green, Mazie Hirono, Doris Matsui, Robert Scott, and David Wu;
and Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.15
In the 112th Congress, Representative Judy Chu was elected chair of CAPAC. The other officers
elected were Representative Bordallo (vice chair); Representative Hanabusa (whip); and
Representative Honda (chair emeritus), who had chaired the caucus for seven years. CAPAC
members chair several task forces: Representatives Chu (Economic Development), Honda
(Immigration), Scott (Civil Rights), Barbara Lee (Healthcare), Green (Housing), and Hirono
(Education). CAPAC board members, in addition to the officers and chairs of the task forces,
were Senators Inouye (until his death on December 17, 2012) and Akaka; Representatives
Becerra, Hansen Clarke, Hirono, and Matsui; and Delegates Faleomavaega and Sablan.
Early in the 113th Congress, on February 15, 2013, CAPAC announced its leadership and officers
for the new Congress. Representative Chu was re-elected as caucus chair, Representative
Bordallo as vice chair, Representative Takano as whip, and Representative Honda as chair
emeritus. Chairs or co-chairs of CAPAC’s six taskforces were named: Representative Scott (Civil
Rights), Delegate Sablan (Education), Representative Meng (Economic Development),
Representatives Lee and Bera (Healthcare), Representative Green (Housing), and Representative
Honda and Delegate Faleomavaega (Immigration).16
Map, Tables, and Data
This section provides a map presenting information on Asian Pacific Americans in Congress. The
map (Figure 1) shows the 13 Members and Delegates elected to the House and Senate and the
states and territories they represent in the 113th Congress.
A list of selected biographical information about Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates,
and their committee assignments during their tenure is provided.
Table 1 shows the Congress, the dates, and the names 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

15 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.
16 CAPAC press release is available at http://capac-chu.house.gov/press-release/capac-announces-leadership-and-
membership-113th-congress.
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(a publication of Leadership Directories, Inc.), information on Member websites, and telephone
calls to Member offices.
Figure 1. Total Number of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates and
States or Territories Represented, Elected to the 113th Congress

Sources: The Congressional Research Service created this map using information from House.gov, Senate.gov,
and CQ.com.
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Alphabetical Listing of Asian Pacific American
Members and Delegates, Selected Biographical
Information, and Committee Assignments During
Their Tenure in Office17
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; was not a candidate
for re-election for the 113th Congress; served in the Senate from May 16, 1990, to January 3,
2013.
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, chair
S. Veterans’ Affairs (chair in previous Congress)
S. Select Committee on Ethics
AUSTRIA, STEVE. Republican; a Representative from Ohio. Born October 12, 1958. Elected to
111th-112th Congresses; served from January 3, 2009, to January 3, 2013.
Committee Assignments
H. Appropriations
H. Budget
H. Homeland Security
BERA, AMI. Democrat; a Representative from California. Born March 2, 1965. Elected to the
113th Congress; has served since January 3, 2013.
Committee Assignments
*H. Foreign Affairs
*H. Science, Space, and Technology

17 Asterisks indicate current committee assignments.
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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
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;
served from January 3, 2009, to January 3, 2011.
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;
reelected to the 112th and 113th Congresses, has served since July 14, 2009.
Committee Assignment
*H. Judiciary
*H. Small Business
H. Oversight and Government Reform
H. Education and Labor
CLARKE, HANSEN. Democrat; a Representative from Michigan. Born March 2, 1957. South
Asian and African American. Elected to the 112th Congress; served from January 3, 2011, to
January 3, 2013.
Committee Assignments
H. Homeland Security
H. Science, Space, and Technology
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; served from May 22, 2010, to January 3, 2011.
Committee Assignments
H. Armed Services
H. Budget
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DUCKWORTH, TAMMY. Democrat; a Representative from Illinois. Born March 12, 1968.
Served as Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2009-2011). Elected to the
113th Congress; has served since January 3, 2013.
Committee Assignments
*H. Armed Services
*H. Oversight and Government Reform
FALEOMAVAEGA, ENI F. H. Democrat; a Delegate from American Samoa. Born August 15,
1943. Elected to the 100th-113th Congresses; has served since January 3, 1989.
Committee Assignments
* H. Foreign Affairs
* H. Natural Resources
H. Interior and Insular Affairs
H. Education and Labor
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
S. Appropriations
S. Interior and Insular Affairs
S. Judiciary
S. Post Office and Civil Service
S. Public Works
GABBARD, TULSI. Democrat; a Representative from Hawaii. Born on April 12, 1981. Elected
to the 113th Congress; has served since January 3, 2013.
Committee Assignments
*H. Foreign Affairs
*H. Homeland Security
HANABUSA, COLLEEN. Democrat; a Representative from Hawaii. Born on May 4, 1951.
Elected to the 112th and 113th Congresses; has served since January 3, 2011.
Committee Assignments
* H. Armed Services
* H. Natural Resources
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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 and Senator from Hawaii. Born on
November 3, 1947. Elected to the House for 110th-112th Congresses; served from January 3, 2007,
to January 3, 2013. Elected to the Senate for the 113th Congress; has served in the Senate since
January 3, 2013.
Committee Assignments
*S. Armed Services
*S. Judiciary
*S. Veterans Affairs
H. Education and the Workforce
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
H. Ethics
H. Small Business
HONDA, MICHAEL M. Democrat; a Representative from California. Born on June 27, 1941.
Elected to the 107th-113th Congresses; has served since January 3, 2001. He served as regional
whip for the 107th and 108th Congresses. In the 110th Congress, he served as a Democratic senior
whip and was reappointed to the position for the 111th, 112th, and 113th Congresses.
Committee Assignments
* H. Appropriations
H. Budget
H. Science and Technology
H. Transportation and Infrastructure
HOUSTON, VICTOR STEWART KALEOALOHA. Republican; a Delegate from the
Territory of Hawaii. Born on July 22, 1876; died on July 31, 1959. Elected to the 70th-72nd
Congresses; served from March 4, 1927, to March 3, 1933.
Committee Assignments
H. Agriculture
H. Immigration and Naturalization
H. Merchant Marine, Radio, and Fisheries
H. Military Affairs
H. Naval Affairs
H. Post Office and Post Roads
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

H. Public Lands
H. Territories

INOUYE, DANIEL KEN. Democrat; a Representative and Senator from Hawaii. Born on
September 7, 1924; died on December 17, 2012. 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,
2004, and 2010; served in the Senate since January 3, 1963, to December 17, 2012. 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. Served as President pro tempore of the Senate from
June 28, 2010, to December 17, 2012.
Committee Assignments
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
JARRETT, WILLIAM PAUL. Democrat. Delegate from the Territory of Hawaii. Born on
August 22, 1877; died on November 10, 1929. Elected to the 68th and 69th Congresses; served
from March 4, 1923, to March 3, 1927.
Committee Assignments
H. Agriculture
H. Military Affairs
H. Post Office and Post Roads
H. Public Lands
H. Territories
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

JINDAL, BOBBY. Republican; a Representative from Louisiana. Born on June 10, 1971.
Elected to the 109th and 110th Congresses; serve d 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
KING, SAMUEL WILDER. Republican; a Delegate from the Territory of Hawaii. Born on
December 17, 1886; died on March 24, 1959. Elected to the 74th-77th Congresses, served from
January 3, 1935, to January 3, 1943. Appointed Governor of Hawaii; served from February 28,
1953, until his resignation on July 31, 1957.
Committee Assignments
H. Agriculture
H. Immigration and Naturalization
H. Insular Affairs
H. Merchant Marine and Fisheries
H. Military Affairs
H. Naval Affairs

H. Post Office and Public Roads
H. Public Lands
H. Rivers and Harbors
Congressional Research Service
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

H. Territories

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 -113th
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 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

Congressional Research Service
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

MENG, GRACE. Democrat; a Representative from New York. Born October 1, 1975. Elected to
the 113th Congress; has served since January 3, 2013.
Committee Assignments
*H. Foreign Affairs
*H. Small Business
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
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 had 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 to 1998, 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

Congressional Research Service
15

Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

SABLAN, GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO. Democrat; 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. Reelected to the 112th and 113th Congresses, has served since January 3, 2009.
Committee Assignments
*H. Education and the Workforce
*H. Natural Resources
H. Agriculture
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
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-113th Congresses; has
served since January 3, 1993.
Committee Assignments
* H. Education and the Workforce
* H. Judiciary
H. Budget
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
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

TAKANO, MARK. Democrat; a Representative from California. Born December 10, 1960.
Elected to the 113th Congress; has served since January 3, 2013.
Committee Assignments
*H. Science, Space, and Technology
*H. Veterans’ Affairs
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
WILCOX, ROBERT WILLIAM. Independent; the first Delegate from Hawaii. Born on
February 15, 1855; died on October 23, 1903. Elected to the 56th-57th Congresses; served from
November 6, 1900, to March 3, 1903; unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the 58th Congress.
Committee Assignments
H. Coinage, Weights, and Measures
H. Private Land Claims

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. Born on April 8, 1955. Elected to the
106th-112th Congresses; served from January 3, 1999, until his resignation on August 3, 2011. In
the 106th Congress, he served as Democratic freshman class president for the period July-
December 2000.
Committee Assignments
H. Education and the Workforce
H. Science, Space, and Technology
H. Foreign Affairs
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Table 1. Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates
in the 56th-113th Congresses (1899-2015)
Congress Dates
House
Senate
56th-57th
1899-1903
Robert William Wilcox
—
58th-67th
1903-1922
Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaolea —
68th-69th
1923-1927
Wil iam Paul Jarrett
—
70th-72nd
1927-1933
Victor Stewart Kaleoaloha Houston

73th
—
—
—
74th -77th
1935-1943
Samuel Wilder King
—
78th -84th
—
—
—
85th
1957-1959
Dalip Singh Saund
—
86th
1959-1961
Daniel Ken Inouye
Hiram Leong Fong
Dalip Singh Saund

87th
1961-1963
Daniel Ken Inouye
Hiram Leong Fong
Dalip Singh Saund

88th
1963-1965
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Hiram Leong Fong
Daniel Ken Inouye
89th
1965-1967
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Hiram Leong Fong
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Daniel Ken Inouye
90th
1967-1969
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Hiram Leong Fong
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Daniel Ken Inouye
91st
1969-1971
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Hiram Leong Fong
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Daniel Ken Inouye
92nd
1971-1973
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Hiram Leong Fong
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Daniel Ken Inouye
93rd
1973-1975
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Hiram Leong Fong
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Daniel Ken Inouye
Antonio Borja Won Pat

94th
1975-1977
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Hiram Leong Fong
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Daniel Ken Inouye
Patsy Takemoto Mink

Antonio Borja Won Pat

95th
1977-1979
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Daniel Ken Inouye
Antonio Borja Won Pat
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
96th
1979-1981
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa
Robert Takeo Matsui
Daniel Ken Inouye
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Congressional Research Service
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Congress Dates
House
Senate
Antonio Borja Won Pat

97th
1981-1983
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa
Robert Takeo Matsui
Daniel Ken Inouye
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia
Antonio Borja Won Pat
98th
1983-1985
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Norman Yoshio Mineta

Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia

Antonio Borja Won Pat

99th 1985-1987
Daniel
Kahikina
Akaka
Daniel Ken Inouye
Ben Garrido Blaz
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Robert Takeo Matsui

Norman Yoshio Mineta

Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia

100th
1987-1989
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Daniel Ken Inouye
Ben Garrido Blaz
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Robert Takeo Matsui

Norman Yoshio Mineta

Patricia Fukuda Saiki

Fofó Iosefa Fiti Suniab

101st
1989-1991
Ben Garrido 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
1991-1993
Ben Garrido Blaz
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui

Norman Yoshio Mineta

Patsy Takemoto Mink

103rd
1993-1995
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Jay C. Kim
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui

Congressional Research Service
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Congress Dates
House
Senate
Norman Yoshio Mineta

Patsy Takemoto Mink

Robert Cortez Scott

Robert Anacletus Underwood

104th
1995-1997
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
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
1997-1999
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Jay C. Kim
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui

Patsy Takemoto Mink

Robert Cortez Scott

Robert Anacletus Underwood

106th
1999-2001
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Robert Takeo Matsui
Daniel Ken Inouye
Patsy Takemoto Mink

Robert Cortez Scott

Robert Anacletus Underwood

David Wu

107th
2001-2003
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Michael M. Honda
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsui

Patsy Takemoto Minke

Robert Cortez Scott

Robert Anacletus Underwood

David Wu

108th
2003-2005
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Michael M. Honda
Daniel Ken Inouye
Robert Takeo Matsuif

Robert Cortez Scott

David Wu

109th
2005-2007
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Congressional Research Service
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Congress Dates
House
Senate
Michael M. Honda
Daniel Ken Inouye
Bobby Jindal

Doris Okada Matsuig

Robert Cortez Scott

David Wu

110th
2007-2009
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Mazie Keiko Hirono
Daniel Ken Inouye
Michael M. Honda

Bobby Jindalh

Doris Okada Matsui

Robert Cortez Scott

David Wu

111th
2009-2011
Steve Austria
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

112th
2011-2013
Steve Austria
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Judy Chu
Daniel Ken Inouyel
Hansen Clarke

Eni F. H. Faleomavaega

Col een Hanabusa

Mazie Keiko Hirono

Michael M. Honda

Doris Okada Matsui

Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan

Robert Cortez Scott

David Wuk

113th
2013-2015
Ami Bera
Mazie Keiko Hirono
Judy Chu
Congressional Research Service
21

Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Congress Dates
House
Senate
Tammy Duckworth
Eni F. H. Faleomavaega
Tulsi Gabbard
Col een Hanabusa
Michael M. Honda
Doris Okada Matsui
Grace Meng
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan
Robert Cortez Scott
Mark Takano
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 fill the vacancy caused by the resignation
of Rep. Neil Abercrombie.
k. Rep. David Wu resigned on August 3, 2011.
l.
Sen. Daniel Inouye died on December 17, 2012.
Congressional Research Service
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Table 2. Number of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates
by State and Territory, 56th-113th Congresses (1899-2015)
State or Territory
Number Elected
Name
California 10
Ami Bera
Judy Chu
Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa
Michael M. Honda
Jay C. Kim
Robert Takeo Matsui
Doris Okada Matsui
Norman Yoshio Mineta
Dalip Singh Saund
Mark Takano
Hawai
15
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
Charles K. Djou
Tulsi Gabbard
Col een Hanabusa
Mazie Keiko Hirono
Victor Stewart Kaleoaloha Houston
Daniel Ken Inouye
William Paul Jarrett
Hiram Leong Fong
Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole
Samuel Wilder King
Spark Masayuki Matsunaga
Patsy Takemoto Mink
Patricia Fukuda Saiki
Robert William Wilcox
Illinois 1
Tammy
Duckworth
Louisiana 2
Anh “Joseph” Quang Cao
Bobby Jindal
Michigan 1
Hansen
Clarke
New York
1
Grace Meng
Ohio 1
Steve
Austria
Oregon 1
David
Wu
Virginia
1
Robert Cortez Scott
American Samoa
2
Eni F.H. Faleomavaega
Fofó Iosefa Fifi Sunia
Guam
3
Ben Garrido Blaz
Robert Anacletus Underwood
Antonio Borja Won Pat
Northern Mariana Islands
1
Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan
Congressional Research Service
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Table 3. Number of Asian Pacific American Members and Delegates
in the U.S. Congress, 56th-113th Congresses (1899-2015)
Congress
Years
Total in Congress
House
Senate
56th 1899-1901
1
1
-
57th 1901-1903
1
1
-
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 1923-1925
1
1
-
69th
1925-1927
1
1

70th
1927-1929
1
1

71th
1929-1931
1
1

72nd
1931-1933
1
1

73rd
1933-1935
-
-
-
74th
1935-1937
1
1

75th
1937-1939
1
1

76th
1939-1941
1
1

77th
1941-1943
1
1

78th-84th
1943-1957
-
-
-
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
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Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Congress
Years
Total in Congress
House
Senate
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
109th 2005-2007
8
6e 2
110th 2007-2009
9
[8]f 7
[6]f 2
111th 2009-2011
13gf 11
2
112th
2011-2013
13 [11]h 11
[10]h 2[1]h
113th
2013-2015
13
12
1
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.
h. The numbers in brackets reflect the resignation of Rep. David Wu on August 3, 2011, and the death of Sen.
Daniel Inouye on December 17, 2012.
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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 ful y 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

Program Specialist
ltong@crs.loc.gov, 7-5846

Acknowledgments
Amber H. Wilhelm, Graphics Specialist, created the map for this report.
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