BOSTON -- Rady Mom completed his journey from Cambodian refugee to the United State's first Cambodian-American legislator Wednesday when he was sworn in to the House of Representatives.
Mom, whose district in Lowell covers Cambodia Town, the Acre and the Highlands, had his wife, Sirady, four children and other family members by his side. He made the most of the ceremony, even taking a camera to shoot some photos before he took the oath of office.
"It's such an honor," he said afterward, between posing for photos on the House floor. "Words can't describe it.

An exuberant Rady Mom waves in the House chamber Wednesday after he had taken the oath of office as Lowell’s newest state representative and the
An exuberant Rady Mom waves in the House chamber Wednesday after he had taken the oath of office as Lowell's newest state representative and the first elected Cambodian-born legislator in the nation. With him is his wife, Sirady, and one of their children, Allyanna. Watch video at lowellsun.com. SUN/Ryan McBride 


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Mom, seated at the rear center of the House chamber, became Lowell's first new state legislator in 16 years. More notably, he is the first Cambodian-American legislator in the country, a feat that earned him a visit with the Cambodian prime minister, Hun Sen, in November.
Mom was one of 20 freshmen state representatives sworn in by Gov. Deval Patrick, on the governor's last day of official business. Many shook Mom's hand to congratulate him, his refugee-to-legislator story having spread across the state.
"Taking the oath, the symbolism of the ceremony, just the way democracy is put forth, it's just incredible," Mom said.
The 45-year-old massage therapist reflected on his father taking him and his family from a Cambodian refugee camp to the United States.