Chang Joon "Jay" Kim 김창준 |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 41st district |
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In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1999 |
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Preceded by | Bill Lowery |
Succeeded by | Gary Miller |
Personal details | |
Born |
Seoul, South Korea |
March 27, 1939
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | June Kim (divorced) Jennifer Ahn |
Alma mater |
University of Southern California (B.A., M.S.) Hanyang University (Ph.D.) |
Profession | Civil engineer |
Chang Joon "Jay" Kim (Korean: 김창준, Hanja: 金昌準) (born March 27, 1939) is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California and ambassador for Korean-American relations. He was the first Korean American to be elected to the United States Congress.
Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea. During the Korean War, his home was destroyed. He immigrated to the United States in 1961, where he graduated from the University of Southern California, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering. He later earned a doctorate in political science from Hanyang University.
In 1976, Kim started JAYKIM Engineers, a firm that specializes in designing highways and water reclamation projects. He built the business into a firm of 130 employees, with offices in three western states. Kim is an award-winning engineer, registered in five western states. JAYKIM Engineers, was recognized as one of the top 500 design firms in the country.
Kim was elected to the city council of Diamond Bar, a newly incorporated suburb of Los Angeles, in 1990 and was elected mayor the following year.
Kim was elected to the House of Representatives in 1992 as a Republican from the newly created 41st District, making him the first Korean American elected to the United States Congress, and the first Korean to be elected to a national political office outside Korea.