From Judy Chu’s office:

Judy Chu Sworn in As First Chinese American Congresswoman

Speaker Pelosi Presides Over Event During Regular Session of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Judy Chu was sworn in today as our nation’s first Chinese American Congresswoman during a regular session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi presided over the ceremony, as Congresswoman Chu’s family, close friends and staff looked on from the Gallery. Following the swearing in, Congresswoman Chu mingled with her new colleagues on the House Floor and then proceeded to a private ceremony with Speaker Pelosi attended by Dr. Chu’s closest family and friends.

“On behalf of all Members of Congress, I am so pleased to welcome Judy Chu to the House of Representatives. As the first Chinese-American woman elected to Congress, her victory is a source of pride to many,” said Speaker Pelosi in a statement following the swearing-in ceremony.

“Over her 24 years in public service, Congresswoman Chu has been committed to the essential issues facing our nation: the strength of our economy, the education of our children, and the health of all Americans,” Speaker Pelosi added. “I look forward to working with Congresswoman Chu to address these challenges and make progress for the entire nation.”

Congresswoman Chu got right to work immediately after the swearing in, voting on several environmental bills and receiving her first committee assignment, the Education and Labor Committee, which is in the process of debating important health care legislation.

Congresswoman Chu was elected to succeed Labor Secretary Hilda Solis on Tuesday by a 61% to 33% margin following a hard-fought primary during which she beat out a crowded field of 12 candidates. She campaigned on a platform of creating jobs and protecting homeowners in her working class 32nd District east of Los Angeles, and put together a multi-ethnic coalition to win the seat in the primarily Latino district.

“I am humbled and honored that the people of the 32nd District and San Gabriel Valley once again

demonstrated their trust in me as their elected representative,” said Congresswoman Chu, who has been elected nine times over the past 23 years as a school board member, mayor, state Assembly member and Board of Equalization member. “I look forward to working hard for my constituents in Washington, using my fiscal expertise to help our nation emerge from our current financial crisis, improving our healthcare system and bringing much needed transportation and education dollars to the San Gabriel Valley.”

Judy Chu most recently served as vice chair of the state Board of Equalization, which collects more than $53 billion in revenue for the state of California. Prior to that she served three terms in the state Assembly, where she headed the powerful Appropriations Committee, with life and death power over every bill with fiscal impact in the state. As an Assemblywoman she authored an innovative tax amnesty bill, the most successful of its kind in the nation, which had been estimated to bring in $300 million but actually generated $4.3 billion for the state without raising taxes.

She was born and raised in Los Angeles and lives in Monterey Park, where she served on the City Council for 13 years, as mayor for three terms and helped the city earn a Diversity Award from the League of California Cities. She is married to Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-El Monte