Fong, Hiram Leong

Fong, Hiram Leong, 1906–2004, U.S. politician, b. Honolulu as Yau Leong Fong. The child of poor Chinese immigrants, he graduated from the Univ. of Hawaii (1930) and Havard Law School (1935). He practiced law, served as a representative in Hawaii's territorial legislature (1938–54) and as a judge advocate in the U.S. army (1942–45), and became a wealthy businessman. In 1958 he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Hawaii, becoming the first Asian-American senator. He served three terms (1959–77).

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