STORY SUMMARY>>>
From Honolulu city councilman to United States congressman - Charles Djou became an official member of the U.S. House Tuesday after being sworn-in by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Djou, only the third Hawaii republican elected to Congress since statehood, was introduced by Hawaii Rep. Mazie Hirono.
“I look forward to working with you Charles to ensure that the needs of the people of Hawaii are met and their voices are represented in the people's house,” Hirono, a democrat, said at the closing of her remarks.
As his seven year old daughter Victoria clung to his side Djou repeated the oath of office. When he was done there was a rousing round of applause from both democrats and republicans in the chamber.
When it was time for Djou to speak his opening was predictable but heartfelt. “Aloooha!” said Djou, which was quickly echoed by the chamber.
Djou thanked his wife Stacey, their three children and the voters of Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District for making his service in the U.S. House possible.
Djou then spoke about his immigrant parents; his father was born in Shanghai, China while his mother is a native of Bangkok, Thailand.
“Had I been born in the home nation of either one of my parents the idea of calling myself the maker of laws in my parents’ home nation would be laughable.”
Djou ended his remarks by saying he was “eager to start work” while bringing change and restoring prosperity to the United States.
AGREEMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT
In a satellite interview with Khon2 Djou said he would not oppose President Barack Obama’s agenda at every turn.
Djou pointed to the president’s foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan and the president’s push to reform public education as areas of agreement.
“So when the president is right I will say so and stand with him,” he said. “But when the president and the majority democrats are wrong such as with spending and fiscal discipline I'm gonna call ‘em on it.”
Djou said his message of fiscal responsibility resonated with voters in Hawaii’s urban congressional district, who handed him 39.4 percent of the vote in a special election to fill the remainder of Neil Abercrombie’s term.
“I think the people of Hawaii are very concerned about these ballooning budget deficits and the enormous national debt,” said Djou.
“The last thing we want to see happen in our nation is what is currently happening in the nation of Greece. And if we don't take care of our budget deficit and our national debt that's exactly what's going to happen here in the United States.”
Djou told Khon2 he would co-sponsor legislation on Wednesday that mandates Congress pass a balanced federal budget, something that hasn’t happened since 1969.
“Every family in Hawaii has to balance their budget,” said Djou. “So should the federal government.”
The newest member of the U.S. House also stood by his belief that the nation needs to explore domestic sources of oil. However he said any new offshore drilling should only proceed after a full investigation of the April 20 oil platform explosion in the Gulf of Mexico.
Djou also supports the president’s plan to send 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, saying illegal immigration must be brought under control.
“I strongly support a large, open front-door legal immigration policy into our nation,” he said. “But in order to have a large, open front door we must make certain that we close the illegal backdoor to immigration.”
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE GENERAL ELECTION
With only five months until he faces reelection, Djou said he would change little in campaigning as an incumbent.
“I am going to campaign the only way I know how, with lots and lots of hard work coupled with a strong message on fiscal responsibility. That's what I’ve done for ten years as an elected official in Hawaii (and) that's what I'll continue to do as a member of the U.S. Congress.”
Djou insisted he was not concerned with whom he would face in November, after former Hawaii Congressman Ed Case and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa split 58.4 percent of the democratic vote in the election he won.
“Who the democrats decide to pick and the internal battles of the Democratic Party is something for the democrats to work out for themselves,” said Djou. “I look forward to facing off whoever the democrats decide to pick for the general election and I wish both Ed and Colleen well.”
Hanabusa received 30.8 percent of the vote to Case’s 27.6. The two democrats will face off again in Hawaii’s primary election September 18.
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