About Representative Neil Abercrombie

Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) first served the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986. He returned to the House in 1991and has served continuously since then. He is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, where he is Ranking Member on the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee; he is also a member of the Readiness Subcommittee.  He also serves on the Committee on Resources and its Subcommittees on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans, National Parks , Recreation and Public Lands, and Forests and Forest Health.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Neil Abercrombie focuses on quality of life issues affecting military personnel and their families.  He has played a key role in securing military pay raises, better retirement benefits, health care improvements, and modern housing.  He has secured authorization for more than $2 billion for construction projects on Hawaii military installations (chiefly family housing and bachelor enlisted quarters).

Abercrombie began his political career in the Hawaii State House of Representatives 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 received a B.A. degree in Sociology from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and a Masters degree in Sociology and a PhD in American Studies from the University of Hawaii. He worked as a waiter, custodian, probation officer, graduate teaching assistant, college lecturer, professor, construction apprentice program director, and special assistant to the State Superintendent of Education.

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.

Awards received by Neil Abercrombie include: 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, and the Senior Army Reserve Commanders Association Legislator of the Year Award.

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

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