Since 1900, when Delegate Robert M. Wilcox of Hawaii became the first Asian Pacific American (APA) to serve in Congress, a total of 60 APAs have served as U.S. Representatives, Delegates, Resident Commissioners, or Senators. This Web site, based on the book Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress, 1900–2017, contains biographical profiles of former APAs, links to information about current APA Members, essays on the institutional and national events that shaped successive generations of APAs in Congress, and images of each individual Member, including rare photos.
Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress, 1900–2017, is available as an ePublication from the Government Publication Office.
Read essays that provide historical context about four distinct generations of Asian Pacific Americans in Congress. Among the topics discussed in each essay are institutional developments, legislative agendas, social changes, and national historical events that have shaped the experiences of APA Members of Congress.
In this section, users can find tables and appendices of historical data about Asian Pacific Americans in Congress, including: APAs by Congress; committee and subcommittee leaders; party leadership positions; chairmen and chairwomen of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus; and major legislation referenced in the text.
View artifacts from the House Collection related to the history of Asian Pacific Americans in Congress, from formal portraits to political campaign buttons.
Use the interactive map to compile information on the representation of Asian Pacific Americans in Congress, such as the number of Members who served from a particular state or region and when they served.
What is the difference between apportionment and realignment? What is a discharge petition? What does the word quorum mean and how does it relate to the House of Representatives? These and other relevant congressional terms are defined in this glossary.