Michael Honda

Michael Makoto Honda, a Democrat, has repesented the Fifteenth Congressional District of California, in the U. S. House of Representatives since 2001.

Iraq War
Honda voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Investigation surrounding Pat Tillman's death
In March 2007, Rep Honda (D-Calif.) demanded that the Department of Defense release an internal report regarding the handling of Pat Tillman's death by friendly fire. If they did not release the report, Honda threatened to launch a congressional investigation. The family was not notified that the death was caused by friendly fire until five weeks had passed. A leak of the Department of Defense report suggested that four generals were criticized for their handling of the incident.

Student Privacy Protection Act
In both the 109th and 110th congresses, Rep. Honda sponsored the Student Privacy Protection Act of 2007. Currently, students and parents have the right to "opt out" from their school providing their names, addresses, and phone numbers to the Pentagon for military recruitment. However, the opt-out notices are often buried deep within student handbooks, or are not provided to students and parents in the first place.

Rep. Honda's bill would change from an "opt out" model to an "opt in" arrangement, whereby military recruiters may only obtain contact information for students whose parent has provided written consent.

Norman Hsu campaign donations
Upon hearing revelations of Norman Hsu's fugitive status, Minnesota Representative Mike Honda decided to give the $1,000 he received in contribution funds to charity.

Reparations for Japanese Latin Americans
Honda cosponsored The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act in the 110th Congress which would establish a commission that would determine the facts and circumstances involving the relocation, internment and deportation of Japanese Latin Americans.

Biography
A Japanese American, Honda was born on June 27, 1941 in Walnut Grove, California and spent his early childhood in an internment camp in Colorado. His family became strawberry sharecroppers in Blossom Valley in San Jose after their return in 1953.

He graduated from San Jose State University in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences and Spanish and earned a master's degree in 1974. From 1965 to 1967 he served in the United States Peace Corps, working in El Salvador.

A science teacher, he served as the principal at two public schools. In 1971, Honda was appointed by San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta to San Jose's Planning Commission, and won election to the San Jose Unified School Board in 1981. He was a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors (1990) and the California State Assembly (1996-2001).

Honda was elected to the U.S. House 2000, succeeding Republican Tom Campbell.

On February 12, 2005, he was elected the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee under the chairmanship of Howard Dean. His term is expected to last until 2009.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Raymond Lemmy Chukwu to face Honda in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Honda retained his seat.

Money in Politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science
 * Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
 * Subcommittee on Legislative Branch
 * House Committee on Science and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Science
 * Subcommittee on Energy - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Regional Whip for Northern California
 * Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
 * Vice Chair, Democratic National Committee

Twitter
 Mike Honda posts on Twitter at http://twitter.com/RepMikeHonda/

Latest posts: http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/RepMikeHonda.rss|title=none| max=3| short See all the members of Congress who Twitter

External articles

 * Klaus Marre, "Honda threatens Pentagon with hearings on Pat Tillman’s death", Hill News, March 24, 2007.

External resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Peace Corps biography of Mike Honda
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Tiger Beat: Music, Culture, and Politics