Hiram Fong (1906-2004)

U.S. Senator from Hawaii (R), 1959-1977

Hiram Fong was a United States Senator from Hawaii from 1959 to 1977, one of Hawaii’s first two U.S. Senators. He is the first person of Chinese descent elected to Congress, the first Asian American elected to the Senate, the first Chinese American candidate for presidency, and only Republican Senator ever elected from Hawaii.

In 1964, Fong became the first Asian American to receive votes for President of the United States at a major party convention (Hawaii and Alaska delegations).

Fong was one of the foremost leaders in the fight to gain Hawaii’s statehood. He advocated for civil rights and voting rights legislation and immigration reform that sought to prevent discrimination against Asians.