Hiram Leong FONG, Congress, HI (1906-2004)

FONG, Hiram Leong, a Senator from Hawaii; born in Honolulu, Hawaii, October 15, 1906; attended public schools; graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1930 and Harvard Law School in 1935; admitted to the bar in 1935 and commenced the practice of law in Honolulu; deputy attorney for city and county of Honolulu 1935-1938; during the Second World War served as judge advocate of the Seventh Fighter Command of the Seventh Air Force with rank of major 1942-1945; member of the Territorial legislature 1938-1954, serving four years as vice speaker and six years as speaker; vice president of the Territorial Constitutional Convention in 1950; chairman of the board and president of several insurance and financial institutions; engaged in banana farming in Honolulu; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1959 upon the admission of Hawaii as a State; reelected in 1964 and again in 1970 and served from August 21, 1959, to January 3, 1977; was not a candidate for reelection in 1976; returned to private enterprise, and served as chairman of Finance Enterprises, Ltd.; was a resident of Kahaluu, Hawaii, until his death due to kidney failure on August 18, 2004; interment in Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Bibliography

Chou, Michaelyn P. “The Education of a Senator: Hiram L. Fong 1906-1954.” Ph.D. dissertation, University of Hawaii, 1980; U.S. Congress. Senate. Tributes to the Honorable Hiram L. Fong. 94th Cong., 2d sess., 1976. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1977.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present