Friday, April 18, 2003 7pm, at the Student Center Alumni Room, University of Minnesota, Morris.
The Asian Student Association at the University of Minnesota, Morris will sponsor a presentation by Cy Thao, UMM alumnus and Minnesota legislator, at 7 p.m. Friday, April 18, in the Student Center Alumni Room. Thao's presentation will focus on his work as a Hmong politician. The public is invited to attend.
When Thao was elected to Minnesota's House of Representatives last fall, he became the state's first Hmong representative, and the second Hmong to be elected to the Minnesota Legislature.
Thao, who was born in Laos and lived in refugee camps in Thailand for five years before coming to the United States, graduated from UMM in 1995 with majors in political science and studio art. He went on to become an award-winning artist and actor. He also taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools and was the first executive director of the Center of Hmong Arts and Talent in St. Paul.
As a state representative, Thao says his priorities for his St. Paul district [65A] include economic development and renovation of run-down homes and businesses.
Thao is one of 13 freshman legislators who received a degree from the University. Overall, 55 members of the 201-member Minnesota Legislature hold University degrees.
An exhibit featuring Thao's paintings - "The Hmong Migration: Fifty Paintings" - will be included in the UMM Gallery's schedule, February 12-March 5, 2004.
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