Minnesota Legislator Keith Ellison Becomes First Muslim Elected to Congress

by Democracy Now (reposted)

Wed, Nov 8, 2006 7:42AM

As the Democrats take control of the House for the first time in 12 years, California Rep. Nancy Pelosi is set to become the country's first female House speaker. Tuesday was a day of others firsts across the country. Among them, Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison was elected as the first Muslim to serve in Congress. He is also the first African America from Minnesota to be elected Congress. Ellison joins us on the line from Minneapolis.

Tuesday was a day of 'firsts' across the country. In Massachusetts Deval Patrick became the state's first African-American governor. He is only the second elected Black governor in the nation's history. In Vermont, Bernie Sanders became the first self-described Socialist to win a U.S. Senate seat. And in Minnesota, Democrat Keith Ellison was elected as the first Muslim to serve in Congress.

* Keith Ellison, Minnesota state legislator who won the Congressional race in the state's fifth district making him the first Muslim member of Congress.

LISTEN ONLINE:
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/08/1457241

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