Historic day for Lowell's Rady Mom, nation's first Cambodian legislator

By Grant Welker, gwelker@lowellsun.com

UPDATED:   01/08/2015 

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 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.

Mom was 12 at the time, and escaped the Khmer Rouge regime to move to a country where he knew no English.

"It is beyond emotional," he said.

Mom's victory last fall energized the city's large Cambodian population, which otherwise hadn't always paid close attention to local politics. He acknowledged his role in Lowell's Cambodian community saying, "I hope to inspire many more."

Mom has been actively involved in the Cambodian community, including with the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, the Angkor Dance Troupe and the Khmer Cultural Council.

State Rep. Rady Mom, center rear, joins other representatives being sworn in Wednesday at the Statehouse in Boston. sun/ryan mcbride 

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His only prior run for public office, however, was an unsuccessful bid in 2005 for Lowell City Council.

Mom passed through a four-way race for the Democratic primary in September and then beat the unenrolled Fred Bahou in November, capturing 61 percent of the vote. He promised to the crowd at the Pailin City Restaurant on election night that he would be "your bridge from the city of Lowell to Beacon Hill."

The rest of the Lowell Statehouse delegation has welcomed Mom, and many gathered for a group photo with him outside the House chamber entrance.

"It's a great achievement for Rady, his family and his community," said state Rep. David Nangle, who represents the Belvidere neighborhood of Lowell and the eastern tip of Chelmsford. "I know he was overwhelmed in taking everything in, and it was nice to see that."

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