'A minority in Several Senses'

This past Saturday, the House of Representatives passed a major health care legislation, something many Democrats were happy about. Among those who helped pass this bill was Representative Anh 'Joseph' Cao, a Republican from Louisiana. In Mr. Cao's statement, he said he had listened the stories of many citizens whose costs of health care are sky
rocketing and that primary care, mental health care, and expanded health care for children and seniors are what the people of Louisiana need. He also voted for the bill "to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion and to deliver access to affordable health care to the people of Louisiana".

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Having left Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon in 1975, Mr. Cao is the first Vietnamese-American to be in Congress. "Mr. Cao, a lawyer, is a minority in several senses: a Republican amid a crowd of Democrats; a Vietnamese-American in an overwhelmingly black district."

In a phone interview, Mr. Cao said that there have been hateful remarks and racist comments. Regardless of the negativity that followed his vote, he does not regret it. He said, "If there is no first step, there could not be a second [...] I believe that we have to take that first step. We have to go beyond partisan politics, and do what I believe is right for America."

A political figure who is bringing about much discussion, Mr. Cao is someone who is taking a courageous stance, leaving a mark, and making Americans think. This congressman's voice is one that we will most likely be hearing from again.

To read more check out The New York Times articles from Nov. 8th and Nov. 10th.