The Common Good received a “yea” vote last night when the healthcare bill passed the House. It is a beginning.
One Republican crossed party lines to vote with the majority of Democrats, Anh “Joseph” Cao. Who is he? Why would he make such a courageous move? A little Googling gave me an idea.
He is a Vietnamese who escaped from Vietnam when he was eight years old. Successful in school, he felt called to the priesthood and studied at a Jesuit seminary for six years before discerning that was not his call. He did share the Jesuit passion for social justice, and carried that with him through law school and eventually into a political career.
He is in his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, the first Republican to be elected in Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District since the late 1800’s, representing a predominately Democratic constituency with a large African American population.
Joseph Cao’s heart seems to be with those living in poverty, those not well severed by the government or other agencies like those in his own district (including himself and his family) who were devastated by hurricane Katrina, and refugees. I imagine we will hear more about him in the weeks to come.
Speak Your Mind