By Cynthia De Castro
FEBRUARY 29, 2008
Asianjournal.com
A FilAm in the US Congress
LOS ANGELES – Fifteen years ago, on
healthcare benefits for infants and
November 1992, Congressman Robert
children, increased the Virginia minimum
C. “Bobby” Scott was elected to the US
wage and created the Governor’s
House of Representatives. By winning
Employment and Training Council.
in that election, Rep. Scott made history
His outstanding performance in
by becoming the first African-American
Virginia was not unnoticed by the State,
elected to Congress from Virginia for
which has been electing Scott to serve in
over 100 years, next only to John
the US House of Representatives for eight
Mercer Langston who is the Father of
consecutive terms now.
Black Politics by virtue of being the first
Rep. Scott currently serves as the
African American ever elected to office in
Chairman of the Subcommittee on
America.
Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security,
There is a little known fact about Rep.
and is a member of the House Committee
Bobby Scott — his lolo (grandfather)
on Education and Labor and the House
on his mother’s side is Pinoy. This also
Committee on Budget.
gives the Congressman from Virginia the
In his 15 years in Congress, Rep. Scott
distinction of being the first American
has become known as a champion of the
with Filipino heritage to serve in the
US Constitution and the Bill of Rights,
United States Congress.
fighting to protect the rights and civil
Overcoming the odds, being a
liberties of all Americans. In 1997, Rep.
trendsetter and making history are traits
Scott fought to protect the rights of all
that Congressman Scott inherited from
Newport News, Virginia. He is a graduate
children with disabilities to obtain a free
his Filipino grandfather, Valentin Cortez.
of Harvard University and Boston College
and appropriate education under the
As a boy in the Philippines, Valentin
Law School. After graduating from law
Individuals with Disabilities Education
wanted to escape the hardships in his
school, he returned to Newport News
Act (IDEA).
hometown and seek greener pastures
and practiced law from 1973 to 1991.
Rep. Scott is currently a leading
whatever the cost.
He also served in the Massachusetts
opponent of efforts to permit employment
Eventually, he stowed away in a ship
National Guard and the United States
discrimination based on race or religion
bound for the United States. The ship’s
Army Reserve.
in federally funded programs. He is a
Captain Hamlin, an American, discovered
While practicing law in Newport News,
leading advocate for improving and
the young lad and decided to adopt him.
Scott served in the Virginia House of
increasing funding for veterans’ benefits
Valentin went home with his adoptive
Delegates from 1978 to 1983 and in the
and health care; for the enactment of
father to North Carolina where he grew
Senate of Virginia from 1983 to 1993.
legislation to reduce high school dropout
up and got a good education. Taking the
During his tenure in the Virginia
rates and increase access to a college
name of the captain, he became known as
General Assembly, Rep. Scott successfully
education for all students with the Every
Valentin Cortez Hamlin. Valentin became
sponsored laws that are critical to
Student Counts Act. Scott is also a strong
a pharmacist and married an African
Virginians in healthcare, education,
supporter of universal health care and
American. His daughter, Mae Hamlin
employment, economic development,
has sponsored the All Healthy Children
Scott, is the Congressman’s mother.
crime prevention, social services and
Act that would ensure that the 9 million
Born on April 30, 1947 in Washington,
consumer protection. His legislative
uninsured children in the United States
DC, Congressman Scott grew up in
successes included laws that improved
have access to quality health care. (AJ)
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