Tony Hwang

Tony Hwang
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 134th district
Incumbent
Assumed office 2008
Preceded by	Debbie Blanchard
Personal details
Born	(1964-09-17) September 17, 1964 Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Political party	Republican
Residence(s)	Fairfield, Connecticut
Website	www.tonyhwang.org

Tony Hwang (born 1964) is a State Representative for the 134th district (which comprises sections of Fairfield and Trumbull) in the Connecticut General Assembly. Hwang was first elected in November 2008, as one of the few Republican challengers within the United States to beat a sitting Democratic incumbent during the Obama electoral tsumani and in 2010, Hwang won re-election with nearly a 70% plurality. Hwang currently serves as a ranking/leader member of the Legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee along committee membership in Appropriations (budgetary) and Environment Committees.

Biography

Hwang was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan after his parents fled the communist government in mainland China as teenagers and re-settled in Taiwan. The family emigrated to Watertown, New York when Hwang was approximately 9 years old. His family’s first residence in this country was in a federally subsidized housing project until his family moved to Syracuse, NY approximately 3 years later. Hwang began his education in the US, not able to speak or read the English language. In fact, Hwang started in remedial English as a 2nd language (ESL) curriculum during his initial years in America. It was through the inspirations and motivation of his parents and the caring and counsel of great teachers that Hwang succeeded academically by graduating from Corcoran High School in the Syracuse Public School system and later from Cornell University with a B.S. Degree in Labor Relations and Organizational Behavior. Hwang's experience has shaped his passionate commitment to helping other children succeed in Education and achieving the American Dream of economical security.

Hwang’s first job was working in his family’s restaurant in Syracuse, New York throughout his teenage years. After graduating college, he joined United Technologies’ corporate training program in Hartford, Connecticut. He was employed there for several years in the executive search industry before becoming a nationally recognized realtor with Coldwell Banker.

Throughout the nearly two decades in Connecticut, Hwang has lived in the 134th itstrict and has been a dedicated community public advocate. He is a longtime member of the Rotary (Westport Sunrise Rotary Club), volunteers at Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (after school youth programs), Operation Hope (homeless shelter), the Center for Women and Families (domestic violence) and previously served as an assistant tennis coach at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, Connecticut.

Hwang and his wife Grace are the parents of a high school age daughter and middle school age son and actively participate and support PTA functions and activities.

Focus

Commitment to community

Bone Marrow Testing Insurance Coverage – provided leadership to develop landmark insurance coverage of bone marrow testing to support patients and families affected by blood cell cancers such as leukemia and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Lupus Awareness – worked to recognize Lupus awareness with the aim of increasing public understanding of this unpredictable and potentially life threatening itsease that affects an estimated 1 million Americans.

Cell Tower and Siting Council Legislation – supported greater local control and considerations toward public safety and community quality of life.

Public service and community involvement

Fairfield Representative Town Meeting (RTM), 2005-2008

Member, Westport Sunrise Rotary Club

Member, Greenfield Hill Congregational Church

Supporter, St. Vincent's Medical Center (Bridgeport), Swim across the Sound Cancer Center

Supporter, Bridgeport Hospital, Norma Pfriem Breast Cancer Care Center

Reduce spending

Force state government to live within the constitutionally mandated spending cap

Eliminate longevity bonuses, which reward state employees simply for long term employment, a practice that is outdated and far too expensive to maintain

Evaluate “defined benefit” pension, one of the fastest growing pieces of the state budget, against the benefits of a “defined contribution” plan, similar to private sector pension plans around the country

Supporter and Volunteer, CT Challenge for Cancer Survivors

Supporter and Volunteer, Relay for Life American Cancer Society

Supporter, Operation Hope – fighting to end homelessness

Supporter, The Kennedy Center – empowering ievelopmental disability

Economy and jobs

Helped Housatonic Community College obtain a portion of a $16.7 million grant to build a state of the art manufacturing education center

Supported new business ievelopment initiatives in genomics/DNA medicine of Jackson Laboratory to create a world class bioscience industry in Connecticut

Introduced Learn Here, Live Here legislation, an incentive for certain Connecticut graduates to stay in-state and buy their first home here, which will reduce the brain drain of young graduates leaving our state. (PA 12-175)

Legislative highlights

As of 12 July 2010, Hwang has introduced eleven bills in the Connecticut General Assembly.

Anti-Domestic Violence Coalition Honors Hwang

State Rep. Tony Hwang, R-134th Dtstrict, joined numerous other male leaders from across the state as they were recognized in a new class of "First 100 Plus" Men for their leadership in fighting domestic violence by the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The state-wide event, held at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell, gave the organization an opportunity to reflect on the positive legislative changes that have taken place in preventing domestic violence and honor those who have made significant contributions to that effort, while recognizing the tremendous work ahead in ending domestic abuse.

Taking Lessons From Storm Cleanup Back To Hartford

State Rep. Tony Hwang was recently re-elected to a third term in the Connecticut General Assembly. He represents the 134th Dtstrict, which covers parts of Trumbull and Fairfield.

Tony is especially emboldened by the recent Fairfield Beach area cleanup effort, started by three young friends, Katie Boland, Lindsey Morton and Kelly Niznansky. Their idea of making a difference led and inspired over 1,000 volunteers and local businesses to come together to help their neighbors. There were no political party labels, partisan agendas or bureaucratic infighting -- everyone heeded the call to make a positive difference. The response and result was an overwhelming success and a monumental achievement. If the legislative General Assembly can adopt this kind of community-based approach to tackle our economic and political challenges, we would all be much better served. It is time for hard, honest decisions, which need to be applied to the budget deficit, educational budget and so many other issues that impact our neighbors and community. Let us remember the indomitable spirit of the Fairfield Beach cleanup and apply it to our legislative process. It is what makes us special as a community -- practicing the premises of "service above self" and "thinking globally and acting locally."

Neighbors – Fairfield Beach Area Clean Up After Hurricane Sandy

CT LEGISLATORS FORM BIPARTISAN LIFE BIOSCIENCES CAUCUS - Bipartisan Caucus will focus on promoting biotech and medical industries Rep. Tony Hwang, co-chair of the caucus, enthusiastically supports the life biosciences industry focus within the CT General Assembly because “this bipartisan initiative is focused on building viable bioscience businesses and creating high value jobs for our state. Connecticut companies such as JAX Genomics, Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim are recognized world leaders in bioscience innovations. It is critical for us, as their legislative partners, to create an environment that is conducive to retention and expansion of these industries within our state. Simply put, it is all about jobs and economic growth.”

External links

• Official website
• Connecticut General Assembly