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Ahn "Joseph" Cao (R-La.)

Current Position: U.S. Representative (since January 2009)
Credit: Congress Bio Directory
  Table of Contents
  1. 1. Why He Matters
  2. 2. At a Glance
  3. 3. Path to Power
    1. 3.1. In Their Own Words
  4. 4. The Issues
    1. 4.1. Health-Care Reform
  5. 5. The Network

 

Why He Matters

Louisiana's replacement for scandal-tainted ex-Rep. William Jefferson (D) in the 2nd district came from an unexpected place: Ho Chi Minh City. Cao, who beat Jefferson in 2008, was born in Vietnam and came to America at age 8. Before being elected to Congress, he had never before held public office.

After earning a degree in physics and attending seminary with the intention of a life in the priesthood, Cao became a lawyer focusing on immigration issues. But when both his home and his law office were destroyed during 2005's Hurricane Katrina and he dealt with the storm's aftermath, and the government's response to it, Cao turned to politics.Rep. Joseph Cao's Web site, biography.

Cao is the first Vietnamese-American in Congress. His win was an upset; two-thirds of his constituents are Democrats. He will be a top Democratic target in 2010.Krupa, Michelle and Frank Donze, The New Orleans Times-Picayune, "Anh 'Joseph' Cao beats Rep. William Jefferson in 2nd Congressional District," Dec. 6, 2008

At a Glance

Current Position: U.S. Representative (since January 2009)

Career History: Member, Board of Elections for Orleans Parish; Chairman, Louisiana Republican Party; Lawyer, private practice; Philosophy and ethics professor, Loyola University

Birthday: March 13, 1967

Hometown: Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam

Alma Mater: Baylor University, B.S., 1990; Fordham University, M.A., 1995; Loyola University, J.D., 2000

Spouse: Hieu "Kate" Hoang

Religion: Catholic

Committees: Homeland Security Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

DC Office: 2113 Rayburn House Office Building, 202-225-6636

District Office: New Orleans, La., 504-483-2325

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In Their Own Words

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The Issues

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Health-Care Reform

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Tags: Congress | freshman | House Member | ID-Cao, Joseph "Ahn" (R-La.) | Louisiana lawmaker | Republican

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