Rep. Emerson Levy remembers colleague Nguyễn as “a bright light” after her passing

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) - The Oregon political community is remembering Representative Hòa Nguyễn, who lost her battle with cancer this week.

Nguyễn joined the state legislature in 2023, becoming one of five Vietnamese Americans elected to the Oregon House. She represented House District 48, which stretches from East Portland to Damascus.

Her close friend and fellow lawmaker, Representative Emerson Levy, shared a heartfelt statement with KTVZ:

“Representative Nguyễn was a champion for kids. She created a walking school bus over a decade ago to help kiddos get to school — and it worked! She carried that creative spirit to the legislature. One of our last conversations was about our students and what they needed to succeed. Oregon has lost a daughter, a bright light, and I have lost a dear friend. I will miss her deeply.”