San Diego Political Legend Tom Hom Talks About ‘Bumpy Road’ To American Dream

Tom Hom was elected as San Diego's first minority city councilman back in the 1960s and is still the only Asian-American to have served on the council.

Aired 5/21/14 on KPBS Midday Edition

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Tom Hom was the first minority elected to the San Diego City Council in 1963. He later served in the California State Assembly representing the 79th District.

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Photo credit: Sunbelt Publications

Book cover for San Diego's first minority councilman Tom Hom's memoir about his life and career, "Rabbit on a Bumpy Road."

A politician, businessman and civic leader, Tom Hom has a long history serving San Diego.

He was elected as San Diego's first minority city councilman in the 1960s and is still the only Asian-American to have served on the council. However, that may change this year. The new City Council boundaries in District 6 encompass a large portion of San Diego's Asian population. Many people believe there will be an Asian-American candidate elected from that district this year.

Hom turned 87 this year, and he said people often remark about his good health and vitality. In his memoir, "Rabbit on a Bumpy Road: A Story of Courage and Endurance," he even includes a recipe for a health tonic he takes twice a day: a teaspoon of honey and two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar.

"I've been taking this since I was 35, and I still do it today," he said.

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