In his third and last run for U.S. Senate, the Friends of Fong Campaign Committee (chaired by Maurice J. Sullivan), hosted a Chinese banquet-style dinner with shark fin soup, crispy duck, and lobster, among other delicacies. Past fundraisers served similar menus or Hawaiian-style lūʻau food that signaled Sen. Fong’s embrace of his Chinese heritage and Hawaiian roots; he claimed to be a “Man of the Pacific.” Along with a typical political program of speeches, entertainment at the 1970 banquet was provided by groups like Liz Damon and the Orient Express (a soft rock group from Hawaiʻi). As with his other fundraising dinners, attendees ended the night with “Vote for Hiram, Vote for Hiram,” a song that is sung to the tune of 1928’s “When You’re Smiling.” 

Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Memorabilia, Box 3, Folder 2, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

In what appears to be unsolicited by Fong, Y.C. Chen of Taiwan printed and distributed a Senate speech Sen. Fong delivered on April 22, 1975. In the speech, Fong affirms his support for the Vietnam War and continued to criticize the spread of communism across Asia. Chen was “very much pleased and deeply moved with compassion” as an 82-year-old man who fled to Taiwan because of “the brutal force of communism” he experienced in his native China. Fong was critical of “Red China,” often vocalizing his views in media, with political organizations, and with his constituents.

Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Public Relations, Box 28, Folder 12, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

In a translated letter dated November 26, 1974, a New York City resident and Chinese immigrant writes a letter of appreciation to Sen. Fong “on the eve” of receiving her U.S. citizenship. The author said Fong “made it possible for thousands of Chinese race to come to the United States to breathe free air and to enjoy the democratic and secure living…” and that her admiration to him was “shared by many other nationals.” Fong’s outreach via Chinese civic organizations allowed him to build a network of supporters that extended beyond Hawai’i.

Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Legislative Files, Box 72, Folder 18, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

Sen. Fong publicly advocated for the admission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the United Nations (U.N.), which was up for vote in October 1971. The U.N. only recognized the People’s Republic of China (Communist China). On the day of the U.N. vote (October 25, 1971), George H. W. Bush (U.S. Representative to the U.N.) expressed his appreciation for Fong’s support of Taiwan and vowed to “discuss the steps we took to carry out the policy of dual representation” in light of the geopolitical divide.

Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Legislative Files, Box 73, Folder 9, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

In a letter dated September 27, 1972, George Koga (Chairman & Presiding Officer of the Honolulu, HI City Council) wrote Sen. Fong about the Honolulu City Council’s concern for their Filipino American constituents. Councilmembers, particularly Councilman Rudy Pacarro, said Filipino residents worried about the demise of Philippine democracy and citizens’ detainment during Martial Law, which Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos imposed on September 21, 1972. In Fong’s response, the senator stated that he was assured there were no such reports of detainment and that he was working with the State Department to address any potential issues for Filipinos with U.S. passports. Fong’s constituent requests regularly included challenges regarding visas between the U.S. and Asia, geopolitical turmoil in constituents’ native lands (e.g., China, Japan, Philippines), and immigration requests like family reunification. 

Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Legislative Files, Box 71, Folder 27, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

In a letter following the 1968 presidential election, Louis Fong Sui Hong (who claims to be Fong’s cousin) – on United Citizens for Nixon-Agnew Nationalities Division letterhead – expresses his enthusiasm for Richard Nixon’s win. As the chairman of the Chinese Nationality Division of New York (for the Nixon-Agnew campaign), Hong thanks Sen. Fong for being a “long and staunch supporter of Dick Nixon” and hopes that with a Republican in the White House, Fong will have more influence in Washington. In an earlier letter exchange between Fong and Hong (in October of the same year), the senator claims Nixon “is the man America needs!” Fong’s loyalty to Nixon was steadfast. Even after Nixon’s fallout from Watergate, Fong remained a stalwart supporter of the disgraced president because of their longtime friendship.  

Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Party Politics, Box 4, Folder 7, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

In 1964 at the Republican National Convention in San Francisco, Sen. Fong was the first Asian American to receive delegate votes for the GOP nomination of President of the United States. This individual wrote to Fong in July 1964, days following the televised convention. A resident of Hong Kong, he noted that Fong’s nomination “caused quite a stir in the Orient.” Newspapers in Hong Kong gave Fong front-page coverage and boasted how major the moment was for Chinese people, particularly at a time in America when civil rights and race relations were tumultuous. 

Senator Hiram L. Fong Papers. Party Politics, Box 5, Folder 7, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.