Bob McDonnell and Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao Campaign in Falls Church

First Vietnamese-American Congressman Joins McDonnell at at the Eden Center: “Northern Virginia’s Premiere Asian Center”

McDonnell Endorsed in Campaign by Vietnamese American National Chamber of Commerce

FALLS CHURCH- Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, was joined today on the campaign trail by Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA). Cao is the first Vietnamese-American member of Congress. The two visited the Eden Center, a Vietnamese shopping center in Falls Church, and spoke with local business owners and shoppers about McDonnell’s plans to keep taxes low, control spending, help small business owners and create jobs all across Virginia. Today marked McDonnell’s third visit to the Eden Center during the campaign. McDonnell has been endorsed in the race by the Vietnamese American National Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking about his strong support for McDonnell’s candidacy, Congressman Cao noted, “Bob McDonnell has the leadership qualities needed to bring out the best in Virginia. He values fresh-ideas over hyper-partisan politics and has built a solutions oriented agenda as his top priority for a successful future.”

McDonnell remarked, “Congressman Cao is the kind of “only in America” success story that reminds us how fortunate we are to call this great nation home. His life demonstrates the incredible opportunities available here to anyone who works hard, plays by the rules and pursues their dreams. I’m running for governor to ensure that the same opportunities that benefited Congressman Cao are available to all Virginians, in every community, in the years ahead. These are tough times. To create new jobs and more opportunities for our citizens we need to come together and embrace innovation and cooperation. As governor I will be focused on keeping taxes low, controlling spending, expanding educational opportunity, and improving our roads to help create new jobs and more opportunities all across Virginia.  It is an honor to campaign with Congressman Cao today. His incredible story is an inspiration to all Virginians.”

Congressman Cao was born in Saigon. His father, an officer with the South Vietnamese Army, was imprisoned by the Communists. At the age of eight, Joseph escaped to America with two of his siblings. He learned English, thrived in school, and earned a physics degree from Baylor University.  He earned earn a Master’s degree in philosophy from New York’s Fordham University, and taught philosophy and ethics at Loyola University in New Orleans. He attained a law degree from Loyola Law School and later served as in-house legal counsel for Boat People S.O.S, Inc., an organization helping poor Vietnamese and other minorities. In 2002, he was chosen by Archbishop Alfred Hughes to become a member of the National Advisory Council of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Cao lost both his home and law office to Hurricane Katrina.  He represents the heavily Democratic 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana, winning election in December 2008 over a 9-term Democratic incumbent.

For more information about Congressman Cao please visit: http://josephcao.house.gov/Biography/