Here are the stories of two trailblazers
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Team, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
This month, we’re dedicating our time here at the Arizona Democratic Party to learn about, honor, and celebrate the voices, lives, and heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We want to start things off by honoring a couple of the many remarkable AAPI leaders who’ve made history in our beloved state of Arizona.
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Thomas Tang was a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the first American of Chinese descent appointed to the federal judiciary.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Tang always excelled in whatever field he pursued. After serving as a First Lieutenant in the military for 10 years and graduating from law school, Tang served as deputy county attorney of Maricopa County until 1957, when he was promoted to assistant Attorney General of Arizona. In 1960, he was elected to the Phoenix City Council, and in 1963, he was elected as a Judge of the Superior Court of Arizona. Tang was then sworn in to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in 1977 after a personal nomination from President Jimmy Carter. This would mark the first time ever that an American of Chinese descent was appointed to the federal judiciary. Judge Tang’s decisions during his more than 18 years on the Ninth Circuit reflected his strong commitment to civil rights for all people.
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Wing F. Ong was the first Chinese-American not born in the United States to be elected to a state House of Representatives and the first Chinese-American to enter the State Legislature.
Upon immigrating to the United States in 1919, Ong worked for his family’s business as a teenager. But, his dream was to become a lawyer. After opening his own business, where he worked and lived with his wife, Ong pursued his dream and enrolled in the University of Arizona in Tucson, studying law. In 1943, after graduating top of his class, he became an immigration attorney where he helped other Chinese immigrants who faced the same difficulties and discrimination that he also had. In 1946, Ong was elected to the State House of Representatives as a Democrat. He was the first Chinese-American in the United States to be elected to a state legislative body. He served two terms from 1946 to 1950, and as state representative, he backed welfare, education and job-security measures. In 1966, Ong ran for the State Senate of Arizona and was elected, becoming the first Chinese-American who entered the State Legislature.
We’re beyond inspired by the work and legacy of these fantastic leaders and proud that our state’s history is full of such diversity and trailblazing.
Sincerely,
Arizona Democrats
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Phoenix AZ 85012 United States
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