"Thank you for contributing to my campaign committee, allowing me to continue working to advance the causes that your members and I care about, such as comprehensive immigration reform and strong civil liberties for ALL Americans. The Iranian American community stands as a beacon of the American dream, and I will continue working to ensure an environment which facilitates their important economic and cultural contributions to American society. I have always appreciated learning about the important issues raised by your members, and I look forward to working with IAPAC to continue fostering my relationship with the Iranian American community."

Michael M. Honda
U.S. House of Representative (D-15th/CA)

Congressman Mike Honda represents the 15th District of California. His district encompasses much of the central, northeastern and southwestern area of Santa Clara County, including: the cities of Santa Clara, Campbell, Los Gatos and some southern parts of San Jose.

Honda was elected to the U.S. Congress in 2000. He serves on the Science, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. He is the head of the Wireless Task Force within the Internet Caucus to enable Congress to better understand and support innovative companies seeking to bring the next generation of technology in the wireless industry to American consumers.

Throughout his life, Honda has tried to remember the lessons he learned growing up in a Japanese internment camp during WWII. This experience came to the forefront again after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. As all Americans struggled in the aftermath of the tragedy, Honda focused on protecting civil liberties and making sure the same kind of blind discrimination would not lead to internment camps for Middle Eastern citizens as well.

Honda is a co-sponsor of the Security and Freedom Ensured (HR 1526), which strengthens protections of civil liberties by amending the USA PATRIOT Act. In addition, Honda co-sponsored the Civil Liberties Restoration Act of 2004 (CLRA), which terminates the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) and other relative removal proceedings. CLRA eliminates criminal penalties and deportation and established civil penalties for certain immigration violations. If passed the legislation would positively impact the lives of Iranian nationals who are facing unjust deportation proceedings that resulted from the NSEERS program.

Background Information
Party: Democrat
Term: 3rd
First Elected: 2000
Committees: Science, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Prev. Occupation: Educator, Public Official
Prev. Political Exp.: Santa Clara Co. Supervisor, 1990-96; CA Assembly, 1996-2000
Education: BS San Jose State University, 1968; BA San Jose State University, 1969; MA San Jose State University 1973

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