1959 - 1977 Hiram Leong Fong - First Asian American elected to the U.S. Senate

1959 - 1977 Hiram Leong Fong - First Asian American elected to the U.S. Senate

Senator Hiram Leong Fong became one of Hawaii’s first two U.S. Senators in 1959, upon the state’s admission to the Union. The son of Chinese immigrants, Fong was also the first U.S. Senator of Asian ancestry. During his nearly 18 years in the Senate, Fong advocated civil rights and voting rights legislation and immigration reform that sought to prevent discrimination against Asians. Known for his devotion to Hawaii and his constituents, Fong’s state pride can be seen in a 1983 oral history interview with Capitol Police Inspector Leonard Ballard, who fondly remembered pointing out to Senator Fong a pineapple light fixture in the U.S. Capitol Building.

Unknown

c. 1960-1970

Hiram Leong Fong: 1906-2004

Sources: Congressional Research Service - Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress and United States Senate

Source: Library of Congress: Digital ID

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

Photograph

English

Figures

Elected

Historic