Judy Chu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Judy Chu
Official portrait, 2019
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California
Incumbent
Assumed office July 14, 2009
Preceded by	Hilda Solis
Constituency	32nd district (2009–2013) 27th district (2013–2023) 28th district (2023–present)
Member of the California State Board of Equalization from the 4th district
In office January 3, 2007 – July 14, 2009
Preceded by	John Chiang
Succeeded by	Jerome Horton
Member of the California State Assembly from the 49th district
In office May 21, 2001 – November 30, 2006
Preceded by	Gloria Romero
Succeeded by	Mike Eng
Personal details
Born	Judy May Chu (1953-07-07) July 7, 1953 (age 72) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mike Eng ​ (m. 1978)​
Education	University of California, Los Angeles (BA) Alliant International University (MA, PhD)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	趙美心
Simplified Chinese	赵美心
Hanyu Pinyin	Zhào Měixīn
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhào Měixīn Wade–Giles Chao4 Mei3-hsin1 IPA [ʈʂâu̯ mèi̯ɕín] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Jiuh Méihsām Jyutping Ziu6 Mei5 sam1 Canton Romanization Jiu6 Méi5 sem1

Judy May Chu (born July 7, 1953) is an American politician. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Since 2009, she has served as a U.S. representative for California. This means she helps make laws for the whole country.

Judy Chu was the first Chinese American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Before joining Congress, she worked in different government roles in California. She was on the California Board of Equalization and the Monterey Park City Council. She also served in the California State Assembly.

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in California

Judy Chu was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1953. Her father, Judson Chu, was a Chinese American veteran of World War II. Her mother, May, came from China. Judy grew up in Los Angeles before her family moved to the Bay Area when she was a teenager.

College and Beyond

Judy Chu went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 1974, she earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics. Later, in 1979, she earned a Ph.D. (a high-level degree) in psychology. She got this degree from the California School of Professional Psychology.

Career in Public Service

Teaching and Local Government

For 20 years, Judy Chu taught psychology at colleges in Los Angeles. She spent 13 of those years at East Los Angeles College.

Her first step into politics was in 1985. She was elected to the Garvey School Board in Rosemead, California. This board helps manage local schools.

Chu in 2007, while still a member of the Board of Equalization

In 1988, Judy Chu was elected to the Monterey Park City Council. The City Council helps run the city. She became the Mayor of Monterey Park in 1989 and served three terms until 1994.

California State Assembly

Judy Chu was elected to the California State Assembly in 2001. This is part of California's state government. She served for several years, representing cities like Alhambra and Monterey Park.

After her time in the State Assembly, she was elected to the California State Board of Equalization in 2006. This board handles tax matters for the state.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

First Election to Congress

In 2009, Judy Chu ran for a special election to the U.S. House of Representatives. This election was held because the previous representative, Hilda Solis, became a Cabinet member for President Obama.

Chu won the election on July 14, 2009. She became the U.S. Representative for California's 32nd congressional district.

Reelections and New Districts

Judy Chu has been reelected to Congress many times. In 2012, the boundaries of the districts changed. She then ran and won in the new 27th congressional district. This district has a large number of Asian American residents. She continues to serve in Congress, now representing the 28th district.

Important Votes and Actions

Chu and husband Mike Eng, with Nancy Pelosi, at Chu's Swearing In ceremony for the U.S. House of Representatives

As a member of Congress, Judy Chu votes on many important issues. For example, she has voted on increasing the national debt limit. This is the total amount of money the U.S. government can borrow.

She has also spoken out on different topics. She supported a bill that would protect people who report suspicious activities. However, she wanted to make sure it didn't lead to unfair reports based on someone's background.

In 2014, a review looked into how her office was run. It found that some emails she sent could have caused issues with the review. She was asked to be more careful in the future.

Judy Chu has been a strong supporter of human rights. She has spoken about concerns for the Uyghur people in China. She also works to support democracy and human rights around the world.

She has also spoken about international conflicts. For example, she talked about the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. She called for peace and an end to fighting.

Committees and Groups

In Congress, Judy Chu works on different committees. These committees study specific topics and help create laws. She is on the:

• Committee on Small Business: This committee helps small businesses grow.
• Committee on Ways and Means: This committee deals with taxes and other money matters.

She is also part of many groups called "caucuses." These groups bring together members of Congress who share common interests. For example, she is:

• Co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus.
• Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
• Vice-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
• A member of the Climate Solutions Caucus, which works on environmental issues.

Personal Life

Judy Chu is married to Mike Eng. He is also a politician. He took over her seat on the Monterey Park City Council when she moved to the State Assembly. Later, he took her seat in the State Assembly when she moved to the Board of Equalization.

In 2019, Judy Chu and her brother donated money to the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles. This museum helps share the history and culture of Chinese Americans.

Judy Chu is one of three Unitarian Universalists serving in the U.S. Congress.

See also

In Spanish: Judy Chu para niños

• History of the Chinese Americans in Los Angeles
• List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
• Women in the United States House of Representatives