Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) is a senior Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, with critical oversight responsibilities for U.S. Army and Air Force operations, budget, and equipment and weapons systems procurement. Additionally, Congressman Abercrombie serves as a member of the Readiness Subcommittee which considers issues such as building and maintaining the U.S. military’s state of readiness.

In addition to Congressional oversight on the U.S. military, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, Congressman Abercrombie has been a tireless advocate for improving the quality of life for military personnel and their families, including military pay raises, better retirement benefits, health care improvements, and modern housing. A strong and effective voice for Hawaii ’s military community, Congressman Abercrombie has won authorization for more than $3 billion in construction projects— chiefly family housing and bachelor enlisted quarters— in Hawaii . He secured House authorization for public-private partnerships to build, renovate and maintain thousands of Hawaii military housing units. These agreements will generate more than $25 billion over a 50-year period.

Representative Abercrombie is also a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and its Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee (Please click here to visit the Committee on Natural Resources.)

Congressman Abercrombie began his political career in the Hawaii State Legislature in 1974. After two terms in the State House, he served in the State Senate for eight years. He chaired the Senate Committees on Education, Higher Education and Human Services. He also served on the Honolulu City Council from 1988 to 1990.

Congressman Abercrombie represented Hawaii's 1st Congressional District (Honolulu and Leeward suburbs) for three months in 1986, returned to Congress in 1991 and has continuously represented the District since then.

Congressman Abercrombie earned a B.A. degree in Sociology from Union College in Schenectady , N.Y. , a Masters degree in Sociology and a PhD in American Studies from the University of Hawaii. In addition to working as a college lecturer and professor, he has also worked as a waiter, custodian, probation officer, construction apprentice program director, and special assistant to the State Superintendent of Education.

Neil Abercrombie's community activities include service on the boards of the Nuuanu YMCA, the Hawaii Special Olympics, the Epilepsy Foundation of America, Friends of Father Damien, Variety Club (Tent 50), the Life Foundation/AIDS Foundation of Hawaii and Amnesty International.

Many organizations have honored Congressman Abercrombie for his service, including: the Japanese American Citizens League President's Award, Toastmasters International Award, National Epilepsy Foundation Advocacy Award, Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii Person of the Year Award (renamed the Abercrombie Award), Ronald McDonald House Support Award, Favorite University of Hawaii Professor, Friends of the Library of Hawaii Mahalo Award, Most Popular Legislator of the Year Award, Gandhi-King-Ikeda award for dedication to peace and non-violence, United Group Home Operators Legislative Award, Hawaii State Chiropractic Association Senator of the Year Award, Clifford Award (Mental Health Public Official of the Year), Hawaii Federation of the Blind Eva H. Smyth Award for Distinguished Contribution, Clinical Laboratories Management Association Special Recognition Award, SERTOMA Freedom Award, U.S. Army Reserve 9th Regional Support Command Appreciation Award, Retail Merchants of Hawaii Advocacy Award, the Senior Army Reserve Commanders Association Legislator of the Year Award and the Maritime Industry’s Salute to Congress.

Neil Abercrombie and Richard Hoyt co-authored Blood of Patriots, a work of fiction focusing on the role of money in electoral politics.

Congressman Abercrombie is married to Dr. Nancie Caraway, an author and educator.

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