A young Tony Coelho took the advice of comedian Bob Hope—for whom he worked shortly after graduating college—and got an internship with his Congressman. For 14 years, he worked for Representative Bernie Sisk, then won the seat himself after Sisk’s retirement in 1978. During his six terms in Congress, Coelho became the first Hispanic American to attain a top leadership post, serving as Democratic Whip from 1987 to 1991.
