Thomas Kuo Shyang Hsieh[1] (November 17, 1931 – March 5, 2023) was a Chinese-born American politician, architect, and vineyard owner. He was San Francisco's third supervisor of Asian ancestry when he was appointed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1986. He was the first Chinese American to be elected to a citywide office in San Francisco. He was re-elected twice and termed out of office in 1997.
As an architect Hsieh designed and built over 1,600 low to moderate income units of housing for the elderly.[1]
Political career
Hsieh was appointed and elected to various San Francisco, California State and Federal civic commissions as the first Chinese American in the 1970s and 80's and was active in raising money for the State and National Democratic Party.[4] He created the Asian Pacific Caucus of the Democratic National Committee and served there from 1978 to 1986.[1] He was previously appointed the first Chinese American to the San Francisco Arts Commission by Mayor Joseph Alioto.[5] He served as the first Chinese American commissioner on the San Francisco Police Commission and was a commissioner on the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission from 1980 to 1984 appointed by Mayor Dianne Feinstein.[6]
Hsieh filed papers and campaigned to run for San Francisco Supervisor in 1985, using the slogan "Say Shay" Tom Hsieh for Supervisor.[citation needed]
Hsieh was appointed to fill a vacancy to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1986 by Mayor Dianne Feinstein.[4] He was the first Chinese American supervisor to be elected in a citywide election in 1986.[5] Hsieh was a member of the Budget and Economic Vitality and Social Policy committees.[7]
Hsieh termed out in 1996, exiting the office in January 1997.[11] He was seen as a potential candidate for City Treasurer in the 1997 election but declined to run.[12]
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