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I want to be a representative and be a role model for the Asian American community.

I think it was hard for people to cast me as an ethnic, as an Asian American woman.

When I first ran for Congress in the 1990s, my background as an openly gay Asian was one of the focal points of the campaign, and, in fact, my opponent attacked me for it.

It's nice to be a woman, and it's nice to be an Asian. But what's more important is what I can bring back to my district.

Twice the Republicans in the California legislature tried to block my seating because of my trips to Hanoi.

I still favor alternatives to governmental race-based preferences.

My position has always been that the House of Representatives does not take reservations. It's walk-in only.

We are selected, but I grew up in California and in San Francisco and there was a system of electing judges.

As an Asian-American actor, I believe it is important to never settle for the status quo. I feel a responsibility to do everything in my power to create positive perceptions of Asian Americans through my work.

They were concerned about the racial issue. They thought it was not a safe issue to go Asian, unfortunately.