Racist remark mars Illinois Senate debate

THE TIGHT RACE for Illinois Senator is getting a bit nasty as the incumbent, Republican Senator Mark Kirk, apparently inspired by the candidate at the top of his party, made a clearly racist and stupid remark during a debate against Democrat Tammy Duckworth, 

Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, was talking about why she wants to make the move to the upper house.

“My family has served this nation in uniform going back to the Revolution." said Duckworth. "I’m a daughter of the American Revolution. I’ve bled for this nation. But I still want to be there in the Senate when the drums of war sound, because people are quick to sound the drums of war and I want to be there to say this is what it costs and this is what you’re asking us to do.”

Sen. Kirk, hoping to sound witty, responded, "I forgot that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington.”

That remark was met with resounding silence as the debate continued. One of the panelists asked Duckworth if she wanted to respond.

“There’s been members of my family serving in uniform on my father’s side going back to the Revolution,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud of both my father’s side and my mother, who’s an immigrant. She became a citizen in her 50s. And I’m just as proud of that.”

It is her father's family that dates back to the Revolutionary War.

Following the debate, the Kirk campaign issued a statement, but not an apology. "Senator Kirk has consistently called Rep. Duckworth a war hero and honors her family's service to this country," it read.

It was the second of three debates between Duckworth and Kirk. The next debate will be Nov. 4.

The Illinois Senate campaign is one the Democrats think they can unseat the incumbent, who is part of the Paul Ryan wing of the GOP.

###

Tammy Duckworth responds to Trump's purple heart remark

AT A CAMPAIGN event in Virginia on Tuesday (July 2), the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump told the crowd that he “always wanted” to receive a Purple Heart, awarded to military service members who were wounded or killed in combat.

“This was much easier,” Trump said, when a veteran at the event gave him a copy of his Purple Heart.

In response, Sean Barney, a Democratic candidate for Congress in Delaware, posted a picture with his own medal and said "no one should ever 'want' to get a Purple Heart."

“This is how one usually looks when you are awarded the Purple Heart," tweeted Illinois Rep. Tammy Duckworth, a Thai/American and a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. She posted her remarks next to a picture of her in the hospital after she lost both her legs and part an arm when a grenade launcher hit her helicopter in Iraq. "Nothing easy about it,”

Enough said.

###

DNC NOTEBOOK: AAPI delegates take to the stage; tend to business beyond the convention floor

Jason Tengco, the Clinton campaigns director of AAPI outreach, took this shot of the Democratic
members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Rep. Judy Chu, the first 
Chinese/American woman to be elected to Congress. To see and hear the entire presentation, 
including a moving video tribute, click here.
***

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY: OUR AMERICA

THIS VIDEO, approved by the Democratic Party, is being shown during the convention to show a major difference between the Republican and Democratic political parties. While the Republicans want to keep people out, the Democrats want to include everyone "gay or straight, black or white ..." Oops. There's that darn obsolete black&white paradigm again.

The DNC showed the new video, “Our America,” which aired for the first time at the Democratic National Convention tonight. “Our America,” created by Henry R. Muñoz III, Robert Rodriguez and Emilio Estefan, features the true portrait of our country: a diverse nation where opportunities are endless and where every individual can thrive with no barriers.

RELATED: Notebook - AAPI passionately involved at the DNC

While the message is clear and one that we wholeheartedly agree with, I do have a small quibble with it: There is only two (perhaps 3) identifiable Asian images in the video. The third image being a sign showing Chinese calligraphy.

***

NOW that Hillary Clinton is officially the Democratic candidate for President of the U.S., you might be interested where she stands on issues that affect the AAPI community. Her campaign has put together a fact sheet on how she plans to break down barriers for the AAPI community.

RELATED: Asian/Americans help shape Democratic Party platform

The website says the AAPI community is standing with Hillary because they know she’s had a career-long record of defending their best interests: from advocating for the Children’s Health Insurance Program while she was First Lady to fighting for comprehensive immigration reform as a U.S. Senator to making the Asia-Pacific region a top foreign policy priority as Secretary of State. As President, Hillary has plans to break down barriers and improve the lives of AAPIs by:

1. Raising incomes and creating good-paying jobs
2. Providing quality and affordable education
3. Improving health and expanding access to health care
4. Protecting Social Security and Medicare
5. Keeping us safe here at home
6. Fighting for comprehensive immigration reform
7. Breaking down barriers and bringing AAPIs together

***

BEYOND THE CONVENTION FLOOR

MAINSTREAM MEDIA is good at capturing the Big Moments of the political conventions but they usually don't show all the things that keep our AAPI delegates busy before the TV cameras start rolling for prime time.

***

REP. MIKE HONDA HONORED BY LGBT CAUCUS
WHILE IN PHILADELPHIA for the Democratic National Convention, Rep. Mike Honda (Silicon Valley) took time Tuesday (July 26) to accept an award from the Democratic National Comittee's LGBT Caucus.

Barbra Casbar Siperstein, a member of the Democratic National Committee’s Executive Committee, presented Honda with the Jane Fee Award, which is named after the first trans delegate to a Democratic National Convention.

The Silicon Valley representative spoke about his trans granddaughter Melissa after he accepted the award.

“When I see things like Pulse, the mowing down of people who are enjoying themselves in a nightclub, I think of Melissa,” he said, referring to his granddaughter. “I don’t want that to happen to her and I don’t want that to be in her future. I want that sense of security, safety for her as she moves through her life.”

FILIPINO/AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN

Virginia's Rep. Bobby Cortez Scott, who can claim to be the nation's first Filipino/American congressman, introduced Vice President nominee Sen. Tim Kaine, who represents Virginia in the U.S. Senate. Scott's Filipino roots go back to his grandfather on his mother's side. He also appeared with the other AAPI lawmakers when the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus took the stage earlier in the day.

TIM KAINE'S FILIPINO/AMERICA AIDE DIES

Last week, Joe Montano, a key aide to Vice President nominee Tim Kaine, died. He was looking forward to attending his first Democratic National Convention. He served as Kaine's Northern Virginia Regional Director.

“My staff and I are deeply saddened by the death of our Northern Virginia Regional Director, Joe Montano.," said Kaine. "Joe was an outstanding representative of this office, enthusiastic servant of the people of Northern Virginia, and admired colleague by all who worked with him. We will remember him by his positive energy, tireless work ethic, and infectious smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s family.”

***

ASIAN/AMERICAN MOTHER SPEAKS

Christine Leinonen was comforted by two friends of her late son.

CHRISTINE LEINONEN, the mother of Orlando shooting victim Christopher “Drew” Leinonen, delivered a powerful and heartbreaking message for gun control at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday.

She told the audience that her paternal grandparents were born in one of the internment camps where American citizens of Japanese descent were detained during WWII.

“It takes about 5 minutes for a church bell to ring 49 times,” Leinonen said. “I know this because last month my son Christopher, his boyfriend Juan and 47 others were murdered at a club in Orlando.

Leinonen said she was a state trooper the day she gave birth to Christopher, and the hospital put her gun in a safe.

“I’m glad there was common sense gun legislation the day Christopher was born. But where was that common sense policy the day he died?” Leinonen said.

***

***

CNN reporter Richard Liu moderated a panel to AAPI delegates on shaping the AAPI message to the media and general public.

***

AAPI SPEAKERS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 28; 

REP. TAMMY DUCKWORTH, who is campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat for Illinois, will have a major speaking slot (approximately in the 5:30-6 p.m.) If she wins the Senate, the Democrats might have a chance of taking control of the U.S. Senate and that's why the party is giving her a prominent spot.

Duckworth, who lost her legs and part of one arm when a grenade launcher hit her helicopter in Iraq, is the first Asian/American woman elected to Congress in Illinois, the first disabled woman elected to the U.S. House, and the first member of Congress born in Thailand.

KHIZR KHAN, an immigrant from Pakistan, will speak before the assembly. He'll talk about his son, war hero Captain Humayun S.M. Khan, who lost his life in Iraq.

Captain Khan, a University of Virginia graduate, was one of 14 American Muslims who gave their lives serving the United States during the ten years that followed the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. “This is our country too,” Khan, 65, said in an interview. “This is not only Donald Trump’s country.

THE OTHER AAPI lawmaker to take the convention stage will be Rep. Ted Lieu, who will be speaking in prime time, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., about supporting the United States' military.

###

AAPI leaders respond to this week's shootings in Dallas, Louisiana and Minnesota

ASIAN/AMERICAN leaders joined the rest of the nation in expressing their heartfelt sadness following the horrendous police shootings that left five police officers dead and several more injured.

California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris

 “I pray for the officers who lost their lives tonight, for their grieving families and our law enforcement brothers and sisters in Dallas,” said California Attorney General Kamala Harris whose mother is Indian American and father is Black. “Last night’s unspeakable violence reminds me of these words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. 

“Violence only increases distrust and anger. I know firsthand that the relationship of trust between law enforcement and the communities we are sworn to serve is reciprocal. We honor the courage and sacrifice of law enforcement as we continue the important national dialogue around reforming our criminal justice system.”

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee also shared his thoughts this morning.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee

“This morning our hearts are heavy following the recent violence that has impacted communities across the country. We can and must stand against violence–violence against young men of color, violence against law enforcement officers and violence against our communities as a whole. We need to come together, have meaningful conversations about change and work together towards peace.

“In these sad times, when it seems nearly everyday we are greeted by more killing and more reason to grieve, we must remember what is right and what gives us hope. It is the bold, but peaceful protestors in the Black Lives Matter movement across the country who seek a safer, more perfect union through speech, the many brave police officers — such as those in Orlando — who unselfishly rush to save lives, and our San Francisco police officers who showed this week that reforms can take hold and the sanctity of life can be upheld. ”

Prior to the sniper incident last night in Dallas, Asian American Advancing Justice called on law enforcement nationwide to deescalate the situation.

“With their deaths, more than 500 people have been killed by police in 2016, and as a nation, we must find immediate and effective solutions to address practices of racial profiling and excessive use of force by law enforcement officers. We are facing an epidemic of African American fathers, sons, mothers, and daughters who are dying at the hands of police in this country. It must stop.

"As the nation’s leading legal and civil rights voice rooted in Asian American communities, we stand together with communities of color in the fight to end systemic police brutality. As the facts of each case surface, we ask the U.S. Department of Justice to not only investigate the fatal shooting of Mr. Sterling but also to investigate the shooting and death of Mr. Castile.

“In addition, we call for state and federal government leaders to act swiftly and decisively to implement policies, procedures, and legislative actions that address racial bias and profiling, police misconduct, and end excessive police use of force.

“We need law enforcement to commit to tactics that de-escalate or disarm, not result in more loss of lives in our communities of color. We want to ensure the motto “to serve and protect” rings true for all of our communities.”

Bill Yoshino, Interim Executive Director of the Japanese American Citizens league issued this statement: 

"In 1982, a federal commission issued its report on the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. The report was titled Personal Justice Denied to remove the anonymity from an outrage perpetrated against a group. It happened to men, women, and children; people with names who lived ordinary, and for some, extraordinary lives.

"This title aptly describes the events of the past several days where the killing of two black men has again raised the specter of a society that continues to devalue black and brown lives. Alton Sterling, a black man, was killed by police in Baton Rouge, LA. Philando Castile, a black man, was killed by police in Falcon Heights, MN. The U.S. Department of Justice will investigate the killing of Sterling, and the Minnesota governor has called for a similar investigation in the killing of Castile.

"According to a database created by the Washington Post, 509 people have been shot and killed by police in the United States this year, over half of whom are people of color. Although we acknowledge and respect the difficult situations that law enforcement officials often find themselves in, we also question what appears to be an excessive use of deadly force, particularly against black men. JACL has stated before that it is impossible to understand these deaths outside the context of a society that rests upon deep foundations of anti-black racism; a society where structural racism works to economically, emotionally, and physically devastate people and communities of color.

"We must do better than to simply express outrage, as these expressions by themselves leave communities of color with the impression that racism and excessive force have no end. These communities will not tolerate it, nor should we. We cannot simply reiterate our emotions each time these incidents occur. JACL remains committed to the struggle for racial equity and will continue to work alongside our partners in the pursuit of institutional change because our own historic experience obligates us to do no less.

"The foregoing in no way diminishes the outrageous shootings in Dallas last evening where it is reported that 12 officers were shot, leaving 5 dead. Confronting racism in America does not conflict with an admiration for the courageous work of law enforcement officers who, in the face of danger, protect the public in a manner that respects the law. We mourn the passing of DART officer, Brent Thompson, and the other officers whose names are yet to be released."

Asian/American representatives in Congress also responded to the recent shootings in Dallas, Louisiana and Minnesota via their social media sites. 

Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Virginia, who is African/Filipino/American, issued this statement:

"Less than a month after the mass shooting of club goers in Orlando, the Nation has witnessed yet another mass shooting. This time the targeted victims were police officers, who put their lives on the line each and every day. Last night’s shooting is especially tragic in that this ruthless, coordinated attack occurred as Dallas police officers were seen interacting collegially with peaceful protesters – the type of interaction we strive to see between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect.

“These senseless and inexplicable acts of violence are a painful reminder that we all must work harder on efforts to build trust between law enforcement and our communities. We are all someone's parent, child, and neighbor, and we must strive to see and respect the humanity in each other. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers.”

Rep. Ted Lieu, D, Los Angeles, issued this statement:

“The killing and wounding of law enforcement officers in Dallas, and the wounding of civilians, were depraved, senseless, criminal acts. While we do not yet know much about all the possible shooters, this attack is a poignant reminder that our law enforcement officials put their lives on the line every time they put on a uniform. My grandfather was a police officer and I greatly respect the service and protection that law enforcement provides on a daily basis. My heart goes out to all those affected by this tragedy. As we continue to learn more, I urge my fellow Americans not to let these events divide our communities. Let us respond to hate with love, to violence with peace, and help heal our nation.”

(AsAm News and Views From the Edge contributed to this report.)

###

Historic sit-in ends in House of Representatives

UPDATED: 1 p.m., June 23

THE HISTORIC SIT-IN in the chambers of the House of Representatives ended a few minutes ago (June 23).

Hundreds of supporters outside the Capitol cheered the Democratic House members as they walked down the steps. The Congress members' hair was a little unkempt and their suits a bit rumpled, they smile and waved. The demonstration ended the way it began, with the words of civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis.

"We are going to win. We are going to win. The fight, the fight is not over. This is just one step. When we come back here on July the 5th, we are going to continue to push, to pull, to stand up and if necessary, to sit down or sit in," he said.

He then strongly urged people to vote in the November election.

"The vote is precious. It's almost sacred," he said. "No one but no one can afford to stay home on election day. We got to get out there and do it and turn our country around and build a community of love and hope."

Dozens of the legislators spent the night in the chamber finding space on the floor or in the seats. They awoke to see the hundreds of supporters who spent the night outside on the steps of the Capitol.

The unprecedented action which drew the support of AAPI members of the House and Senate began yesterday morning at the urging of Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights icon in order to get the GOP-controlled chamber to vote on two gun control billls in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida two weeks ago which killed 50 people.

RELATED: AAPI lawmakers join sit-in in the House for gun-control legislation

Many of the Democratic lawmakers spent the night in the chamber with aides bringing in pillows, blankets and food. Someone in California bought a dozen pizzas and had them delivered to the House members.

To hear what Rep. Mike Honda (D-Silicon Valley) has to say about this historic action, click here.

Ultimately, the Democrats didn’t get a vote. And even if they had, it wasn’t likely that the bill would have passed. But the sit-in galvanized the party and showed the public where the Democratic Party stood on the gun issue, with millions watching the protest on their computers, tablets and smart phones.

Our thanks go the Asian/American lawmakers who joined the sit-in and spent the night using social media to let the world know what was going on in our nation's Capitol.

###

AAPI voters flex political muscle in Illinois primary

THEIR NUMBERS may be relatively small but Asian/Americans in Illinois are carving out a presence on the political scene after the state conducted its primary on March 14.

Asian American community of Illinois had increased access to the polls, turned out to vote in large numbers in the northwest suburbs thanks to voter engagement efforts, and ran successful campaigns for public office. 

“Not only are Asian Americans voting at higher numbers, but they are energized to participate in the November election,” said Tuyet Le, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago. “Now, we are seeing more community members eying seats at federal, state, and local levels of government.” 

Tammy Duckworth's strong showing in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate demonstrates the strong possibility that she may be able to unseat the Republican incumbent Sen. Mark Kirk in November. 

RELATED: Tammy Duckworth win in Illinois primary; eyes Senate seat

While the Thai/American's victory grabbed most of the national attention, other Asian/Americans were making their own mark with the support of the AAPI communities. With Duckworth moving onto the Senate race, that left her 8th district Congressional seat wide open.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

Raja Krishnamoorthi won the Democratic nomination for the 8th Congressional District. Krishnamoorthi will face Republican Pete DiCianni in a district that has over 93,000 Asian Americans. The 8th district has the second most Asian Americans of any Congressional District in Illinois. 

Krishnamoorthi, a local businessman who was born to Indian immigrant parents, beat two opponents to take home 56.9 percent of the vote (43,945 votes) and the Democratic nomination for Illinois’s 8th congressional district, which is currently represented by Duckworth.

AAAJ-Chicago staff member Kristina Tendilla credits pan-Asian community efforts for mobilizing larger numbers of underrepresented Asian American voters, particularly in the northwest suburbs, that make up the 8th District. 

“There is a groundswell happening around Asian/Americans as a way to carve out our own movement as a part of this broader movement,” she said. “For folks who are trying to fight for Asian/American and immigrant and racial justice, it’s important and exciting to have legislators who are from those communities.”

Theresa Mah won a narrow victory in the 2nd State Representative District, which contains much of Chicago’s Chinatown and surrounding areas. Mah will face no Republican opposition in November, and will become the first ever Asian/American member of the Illinois General Assembly when she takes office in 2017. 

Theresa Mah

Former college professor Mah, who ran against  Alex Acevedo, son of incumbent State Rep. Eddie Acevedo, for 2nd district state representative, attributes her 51.2-percent victory (10,470 votes) in part to the “rising political engagement” of the Chinese community but also key endorsements from the Latino community, including from long time leader and well-respected Rep. Luis Gutierrez.

“It is really wonderful to have more diversity in terms of people who are representing us. Having someone from the Chinese community, especially a woman, is a welcome breath of fresh air to the state of Illinois,” said Gutierrez, who was accused of being a "turncoat" by some members of the Latino community.

Asian Americans make up over 23% of the 2nd district but it is viewed primarily as Latino-dominated district.

“We were happily surprised when we saw the vote totals coming in because, even though we knew we were strong with that demographic, it was clear that not only were Chinese/Americans voting, they were bringing their friends and families to the polls, as well,” said a senior campaign staffer from Mah’s campaign.

Josina Morita won one of the Democratic Party nominations for a six-year term on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. If she wins in November, she would be the first Asian/American elected to a countywide board in Cook County.

“They say in politics you’re either at the table or on the table. For a really long time, Asian Americans have been on the table,” said Morita, who won one of the Democratic Party seats on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board of Commissioners with 18.3 percent of the vote (372,755 votes).

“It was a huge night for the Asian American community,” she told Medill Reports. “I think it’s a huge sign of what’s to come.”

Harish Patel was vying to be the first Muslim member of the Illinois General Assembly, running in the 40th district on Chicago’s northwest side, but lost his primary race to incumbent Representative Jaime Andrade.

Andrew Seo, running for a 2-year term on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, finished in 3rd place.

###

Duckworth wins Democratic primary; eyes Illinois' U.S. Senate seat

Daily Herald

Rep. Tammy Duckworth thanks her supporters after winning the Democratic primary March 15.

AS EXPECTED, in the Illinois primary last night (March 15), U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth won 63% of the vote with the balance split between former Chicago Urban League CEO Andrea Zopp and Napoleon Harris, a state senator and former NFL player in the Illinois primary. 

By winning, the 5-term House member Duckworth becomes the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. Her victory sets the stage for a heated contest versus the incumbent, Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk.

The already contentious race between Duckworth and Kirk has been going on informally for months. Democrats see Kirk's seat as very vulnerable as a Senate seat they can turn blue by the popular Duckworth, a Thai/American.

If Duckworth wins in November, she could change the balance in the Senate and break the logjam Republicans have put up against Obama proposals and could be a factor in deciding who could be the next Supreme Court justice.

RELATED: GOP removes tasteless tweet vs. double amputee

Last week, the National Republican Senatorial Committee went after Duckworth tweeting that she "didn't stand up for veterans." The GOP quickly removed the tweet after the committee was heavily criticized. Duckworth, who lost both legs during a combat mission in Iraq, fired back with a long list of the bills she sponsored on behalf of veterans.

Prior to the primary, the GOP was already running TV ads against Duckworth.

Both Kirk and Duckworth have made compelling personal stories part of their campaign. Kirk suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2012, but returned to work in Washington a year later following intense rehabilitation. Duckworth, who grew up poor and attended college with help from federal grants, is the first veteran double amputee to serve in Congress.

###

For more news about Asian/Americans and Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.

GOP removes tasteless Tweet vs. double amputee congresswoman

"Off with their heads!"

“The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean different things.”

I ALMOST expect to see the Queen of Hearts running around, yelling, "Off with their heads!"

Indeed, the Alice-In-Wonderland nature of this campaign season just keeps getting "curiouser and curiouser".

Today, the National Republican Senatorial Committee quickly deleted a Tweet posted on the committee's official account that accused Democrat Rep. Tammy Duckworth, Illinois, for "not standing up for our veterans."

The Bangkok-born Duckworth lost both of her legs after her helicopter was hit by an RPG while serving in Iraq. For her injuries and valor, she received the Purple Heart.  She is the first disabled woman vet to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and is running for the Illinois U.S. Senate. 

If Duckworth survives the primary against liberal Democrat Andrea Zopp this March 15 as expected, she will most likely face incumbent Republican Sen. Mark Kirk, who is seen as one of the most vulnerable GOP Senators up for election.

The GOP Tweet was up for 10, minutes before it was taken down but not quickly enough for journalists to notice. 

Instead of apologizing, the Republicans tried to divert attention towards the reporters who caught the tasteless gaff.

“It would be great if reporters would pay as much attention to a deleted Tweet as they should to Tammy Duckworth being sued by VA whistleblowers for ignoring claims of mistreatment and corruption.”

"Tammy has made fighting for veterans her life’s work, and will continue to so in the Senate,” said Matt McGrath, the Duckworth campaign's spokesman.

Illinois' Rep. Tammy Duckworth spoke at the 2012 Democratic Convention.

For more news about Asian/Americans and Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.

Rep. Tammy Duckworth running for U.S. Senate

Rep. Tammy Duckworth at the nation's capitol.

REP. TAMMY DUCKWORTH (D, Ill.)  declared her candidacy for the U.S. Senate last week. She'll be challenging incumbent  Sen. Mark Kirk, a Republican. 

In her video announcing her intentions, she said:

"I'm running for the United States Senate in 2016 because it's time for Washington to be held accountable and to put Illinois' families and communities first," said Duckworth in the video. "I will fight my heart out to represent you with honor and integrity."

Duckworth, a self-described "daughter of a Marine, a wife, a new mom, and a combat veteran," talked about family issues on the video. She mentioned the need for more pre-kindergarten, affordable college loans and tax-cuts for small businesses and the middle-class.

"I believe that together we can build an America that is strong from the ground up," Duckworth said.

Duckworth is the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress in Illinois, the first disabled woman elected to the U.S. House, and the first member of Congress born in Thailand.

My favorite video clip of Duckworth is below when, as a member of the House military overisight committee, she interviewed defense contractor Braulio Castillo whose company was receiving extra preference credit for his alleged "combat injury," which he got while playing football.

Duckworth lost both legs and part of her arm in 2004 when a rocket propelled grenade hit her helicopter while flying combat missions in Iraq so it was no surprise as a genuine combat veteran, she tore into him. I especially like the part when she said, "My feet hurt, too" without blinking an eye or waiting for the drum beat to accentuate her irony.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

A day after Duckworth made her announcement, another Asian American, Raja Krishnamoorthi said he'll run for Duckworth's seat in Congress. 

The former Illinois deputy treasurer made the announcement Tuesday, a day after Duckworth said she would enter the race for Kirk's seat. 

Duckworth defeated Krishnamoorthi in the 2012 Democratic primary for the 8th District northwest suburban Chicago seat in Congress.

The 41-year-old Krishnamoorthi lives in Schaumburg and was raised in Peoria. He is president of Sivananthan Labs and Episolar, Inc. 

Duckworth is the second Asian American woman to run for a Senate seat in 2016. The other candidates is California's Attorney General Kamala Harris, who is running to replace the outgoing Sen. Barbara Boxer. If elected, Harris would be the first Indian American to serve in the Senate.

• ---

• ---

• • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

  ---

0:02 / 7:59