First Vietnamese-American Elected to Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) welcomed newly-elected Member of Congress, Jopseph Cao to Congress at a press conference outside of his office. Rep. Cao (R-LA), who defeated nine-term Democratic
Ed Royce and wife welcome Joseph Cao and his wife Hiếu
Congressman, William Jefferson, in a run-off election in Louisiana, won by a margin of 49.6 percent to 46.8 percent. Rep. Cao is the highest ranking Vietnamese-American elected in the country.

"As the first Vietnamese-American elected to Congress, this was truly a momentous election. The Vietnamese-American community in Orange County, and across the country, is rightfully proud of Joseph Cao. I would like to personally congratulate him and extend an invitation to join us on the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam. He will be able to offer a unique and valuable perspective.

Human rights and religious freedom are systematically violated in Vietnam. The communist government continues to crackdown on any political dissent, often times resorting to violence. The Vietnamese government should take notice of this important election as an example of how political pluralism works.

Congressman-elect Cao's victory is yet another example of the Vietnamese-American community contributing to our nation. His life story is an inspiration," said Royce.

Rep. Ed Royce is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, and is a member of the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam.