By: California State Senator Janet Nguyen

When I step on to the floor of the California State Senate, I often find myself in awe of the magnitude of how far I have come and the power of the American Dream.

My story begins in Vietnam where I was born under Communist rule. My father had been a member of the South Vietnamese Army and, fearing retaliation for his service, my family decided to flee the country. After several failed attempts, we escaped and were fortunate to find refuge in the United States.

Like many immigrant families, we worked hard to achieve the American Dream. I came to this country not speaking English, was on public assistance, and began working at the age of 10, cleaning houses to afford my school supplies. But although we struggled financially, my family was very rich in spirit because we had regained our freedom and, in the process, had found new opportunities in the United States.

I always knew I wanted to give back to the country that gave me so much, but it was not until I took an internship with a County Supervisor that I learned I wanted to be proactive, I wanted to be at the table when decisions were made that affected someone like me. That internship turned into a part-time job, which led to a career in public service.

Thanks to the support of my constituents, I have been an elected public servant for more than a decade, and today I have the honor of serving as Senator of California’s Thirty-Fourth District. My election to this office in 2014 was historic as I became the first Vietnamese-American in United States history to be elected to a State Senate house.

Being the first Vietnamese-American State Senator has unquestionably influenced my first term in office because I understand the significance of this accomplishment to generations of Vietnamese-Americans. I am proud to serve as their voice in the State Senate and have introduced legislation that is culturally sensitive, including resolutions in commemoration of the Fall of Saigon (Black April), Ao Dai Day, and legislation to allow the legal sale of Vietnamese rice cakes at room temperature. I have also used my platform to draw attention to the deteriorating condition of human rights in Vietnam and to advocate for the release of Vietnam’s human rights prisoners.

Beyond the historic implications of my election to the Vietnamese-American community, I represent more than 920,000 constituents of various ethnicities, and socioeconomic levels. My District encompasses a large Latino community, the largest community of Vietnamese residents outside of Vietnam, a Korean business district, and a large mainstream constituency. I take great pride in representing residents of all backgrounds.

The political tendencies of my constituents are just as unique. In my District, Democrats have a registration advantage, but in spite of this I have been able to win all of my elections with large percentage point margins. My most recent election was won with 17-percentage points.

I attribute the overwhelming support of my constituents to my commitment to policies that nurture the growth and well-being of all residents. What I have come to realize is that there are issues that cut across cultural, socioeconomic and even party lines; all residents, for example, value family, community and have a desire to achieve the American Dream. That is why I promote and support policies that keep that dream alive.

To this end, during my first term in office, I have focused on issues like education. I have authored legislation to make college education more accessible by placing a tuition freeze on the University of California system and by limiting the admission of out-of-state students to 10 percent. I also authored legislation to eliminate state income tax liability on forgiven student loans to help over 13,000 students who were victimized by the closure of Corinthian Colleges.

As a working mother of two preschool-age children, I am also committed to efforts that enhance the provision of care services, a burden that often falls on the shoulders of women. Personally, I am fortunate to count on the unwavering support of my husband Tom who cares for our two sons while I am in Sacramento, and rely on child care services during the work day. Nevertheless, I understand the struggle that parents face with rising childcare costs and that many also have the burden to care for loved ones in need. To assist them, I have introduced legislation to expand child care tax credits for working families, as well as legislation to reinstate much needed respite care services to unpaid family caregivers. I am proud to pursue efforts like these that seek to enhance the lives of my constituents.

When I look at how far I have come, from oppression in Vietnam to the California State Senate, I am optimistic about my future as a legislator, the future of my District and the future of the Republican Party.

I understand that the 2016 Presidential Election has been unquestionably dynamic and has led many Republicans to ask questions about the future of the GOP. What I find most interesting is that this election has exposed people’s frustration with government. I understand this frustration because I have fought my entire career to eliminate excessive bureaucracy and to bring government to the people, a mission that I remain committed to as a State Senator.

Despite the questions surrounding the future of GOP, to me, the Republican Party is the party of the American Dream, one that has promoted policies that have provided individuals, like me, the opportunity to lift ourselves up. I am honored to be a Republican and to have the ability to open doors for others to succeed.

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