Public Information

Name

Tang, Thomas

Class

2007

Biography

(1922–1995) Born in Phoenix, Arizona. Served in U.S. Army 1942-46, served in Pacific Theater. Recalled to active duty in Korea in1950, released in 1952 with rank of First Lieutenant. Graduated from University of Arizona, clerked for the Arizona Supreme Court, served as Arizona Assistant Attorney General. Named to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals by President Jimmy Carter, 1977 until his death; first Chinese-American appointed to the federal judiciary. Served two terms on the Phoenix City Council. Advocate for children’s rights, recognized by the Arizona Department of Education for educational leadership. Active in the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Foundation. Honored annually for his advocacy of minority attorneys through the Thomas Tang National Moot Court Competition.