This year, Anh “Joseph” Cao became the first Vietnamese American to serve in the U.S. Congress. He represents Louisiana’s 2nd congressional district, which covers New Orleans. He is the first Republican to serve that district since 1890. Rep. Cao drew criticism from fellow party members after he cast the sole Republican vote for the house’s health care bill (HR-3962). Rep. Cao serves on the Homeland Security, Transportation, and Infrastructure, and Oversight and Government Reform committees.
Oct. 6: Three Americans win the Nobel in physics
Americans Charles Kao, William Boyle, and George Smith won the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics. Kao’s discoveries led to the creation of modern fiber-optic communication networks. Boyle and Smith were honored for inventing the eye of the digital camera.
Secretary Chu takes tour with Sen. Murray
On Aug. 7, Sen. Patty Murray invited Dr. Steven Chu to tour the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.
Nobel prize goes to 3 Japanese and 3 Americans
Two Japanese scientists and a Japanese American won the 2008 Nobel Prize in physics on Oct. 7 for theoretical advances that help explain the behavior of the smallest particles of matter.