Michael M. Honda
U.S. House of Representative (D-15th/CA)
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"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." |
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Congressman Mike Honda represents the 15th District of California. His district encompasses much of the central, northeastern and southwestern areas of Santa Clara County, including: the cities of Santa Clara, Campbell, Los Gatos and part of southern San Jose.
Honda was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000. He serves on the Appropriations Committee, with postings on the committee’s Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Commerce, Justice, and Science, and Legislative Branch Subcommittees.
In February 2005, Honda was elected as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. In this role, Honda works closely with DNC Chair Howard Dean to rejuvenate the Party's grassroots efforts and to incorporate new and cultivate new constituencies.
Throughout his life, Honda has remembered 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 he experienced would not lead to internment of Middle Eastern citizens as well.
A proponent of civil liberties, Congressman Honda is an original cosponsor of House Resolution 476 condemning discrimination and bigotry against Iranian Americans. The resolution acknowledges the diversity of the Iranian American community and their contributions to the social and economic fabric of American society. 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: 4th
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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