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Thao, Cy

House 2003-2010 (District 65A)

Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served:  Ramsey

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 3/2/1972
Birth Place: ,
Birth County:
Birth Country: Laos
Date of Death:
Gender: Male
Religion:
Reported Minority: Hmong
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected): Saint Paul
Occupation (when first elected): Artist/Former Teacher

EDUCATION

Minneapolis North High School; Secondary;
University of St. Thomas; Attended College; Teaching Certificate
University of Minnesota, Morris; B.A.; Political Science and Studio Art

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Legislative Staff: Minnesota Senate (College Intern); 1993 to 199?

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Lee Vang
Children: Two children: Cyanne and another daughter (daughters)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He was the first Hmong to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives. (Session Weekly, May 7, 2010) Mee Moua was the first Hmong to serve in the Minnesota Legislature.

He was born in Laos in 1972. He spent five years in a Thailand refugee camp from age 2-8. He was one of nine children. He came to Minnesota in March 1980.

He ran unsuccessfully as the Independence party endorsed candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 2000 elections. He lost to Andy Dawkins.

Total Days Served: 2920

SESSIONS SERVED

86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 65A
Elected: 11/4/2008
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/5/2009 to 1/2/2011
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Artist/Assisted Living Facilities Family Business
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Commerce and Labor Minutes
  • Environment Policy and Oversight: Game, Fish and Forestry Division Minutes
  • Finance: Health Care and Human Services Finance Division Minutes
  • Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Minutes
  • Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight: Licensing Division (Chair) Minutes

85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 65A
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/4/2009
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Artist/Former Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Environment and Natural Resources Minutes
  • Finance: Health Care and Human Services Finance Division Minutes
  • Health and Human Services Minutes
  • Health and Human Services: Licensing (Chair) Minutes
  • Taxes Minutes

84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 65A
Elected: 11/2/2004
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Artist
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:

83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 65A
Elected: 11/5/2002
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Artist/Former Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2003 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Health and Human Services Finance Minutes
  • Health and Human Services Policy Minutes
  • Judiciary Policy and Finance Minutes
Session Interviews
Session Interview (Video) 2003 House Interview


Video
House Floor Retirement Speech, May 16, 2010 (Video) 2010


Articles & Books By
Thao, Cy. The Hmong Migration: Paintings: 50 Paintings and Text by Cy Thao. Minneapolis: Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2000. - (In Minnesota Legislative Reference Library collection at ND237 .T49 A5 2000z.)


Articles & Books About
Ostberg, Patty. "First Hmong House Member Shifts Focus." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, May 7, 2010, p. 21.

Maeda, David. "Change Through Participation: Former Senate Intern and House Candidate, Thao Brings a Lifetime of Experience to His New Position." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 10, 2003, p. 19.


District Files

District File - 2003 District 65A
District File - 2004 District 65A
District File - 2005 District 65A
District File - 2006 District 65A
District File - 2007 District 65A
District File - 2008 District 65A
District File - 2009 District 65A
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.