Gary Locke may be new Commerce pick

[Undercurrent]

My former Governor would be a terrific pick!



Gary Faye Locke (Chinese: 駱家輝, Luo Jiahui) (born January 21, 1950), a Democrat, was the 21st governor of Washington, serving two terms (1997-2005). He is the first Chinese American to serve as governor of a state in United States history.<1> On February 23, 2009, CNN reported that President Obama was likely to pick Locke to be Secretary of Commerce.<2>

Locke was born on January 21, 1950 in Seattle, Washington. A third-generation American with paternal ancestry from Taishan, Guangdong Province, China, Locke is the second of five children of James (a native of the United States), and Julie Locke (from Hong Kong). His parents gave him the Chinese name of Lok Ga-fai, similar phonologically to his English name of Gary Faye Locke.

He graduated with honors from Seattle’s Franklin High School in 1968. Locke achieved Eagle Scout and received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America.<1><3> Through a combination of part-time jobs, financial aid and scholarships, Locke attended Yale University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1972.<4> He then earned a law degree from the Boston University School of Law in 1975.

In 1994, Locke married Mona Lee, a Seattle television reporter. Her father was from Shanghai and her mother from Hubei. They have three children: Emily Nicole, Dylan James, and Madeline Lee.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Locke



PS: more cute kids doesn't hurt either! (the kiddos in this photo are now 12 and 10)



edit: typo

[stevedeshazer]

1. Seems like that job is right up Locke's alley

I recall him being a pretty good governor, but I only followed his governorship indirectly (I'm from Oregon).

[Undercurrent]

2. Yes, he was a pretty good Governor.

I like your former Governor, Dr John Kitzhaber too, and was hoping he would be tapped for HHS. But it no longer looks like a possibility.



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8164908

[stevedeshazer]

3. Yeah, I think Kitz is out of politics for good.

That's too bad, but I'm glad to see Locke in the running.

[Undercurrent]

4. Me too.

I was just watching our local news, and our large Chinese community is all abuzz. A lot of excitement for this choice.

I hope this turns out to be correct. The local news is reporting it as a done deal.