Biography

Congressman Richard Hanna was re-elected on Nov. 6, 2012 to represent the 22nd District of New York in the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Hanna brings real life experiences to our nation's capital with a history creating jobs, growing a business and understanding how both the federal and state governments affect decisions of business owners.

He will use his nearly three decades experience as a business leader to help turn around both the national economy and Upstate New York's. Congressman Hanna is no stranger to facing tough challenges and finding solutions through hard work.

At the age of 20, Congressman Hanna became the primary supporter of his mother and four sisters after his father died suddenly. He put school on hold to work and pay off a substantial family debt. Over the next eight years, and without any outside assistance, Congressman Hanna and his sister, Katrina, worked together to support their family. He put himself through college and graduated in 1976.

After graduating with honors in Economics and Political Science from Reed College in Portland, Ore., he started Hanna Construction and worked on small residential projects. Over the next 27 years Hanna Construction grew to employ more than 450 people – many from the construction trades – and successfully complete a myriad of multi-million dollar commercial and municipal projects in Upstate New York. Hanna is a 25-year member of the Operating Engineers Local 545.

Congressman Hanna is a successful businessman who has maintained a lifelong interest in public policy and economics. He is a member of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the National Rifle Association. He is a licensed pilot with high performance and sea plane certifications.

He has also donated his time, leadership and personal resources to numerous civic, charitable, religious and philanthropic causes to compassionately address needs in our society.

In cooperation with The Women's Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc., Congressman Hanna in 2004 founded "Annie's Fund." The fund was created to help women make positive changes at critical points in their lives through one-time grants. Hundreds of grants have been awarded since the inception of Annie's Fund. The YWCA of the Mohawk Valley has also honored Congressman Hanna as a "Champion of Women" for nearly three decades.

Congressman Hanna also served for 10 years from 1994 to 2004 on the board of The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc., including two years as the board chairman. Congressman Hanna in 2007 was the recipient of foundation's Rosamond Childs Award for Community Philanthropy. The award honors the memory of the foundation's first and largest benefactor and is presented to a donor who exemplifies her philanthropic spirit. Congressman Hanna was the first living person to receive the award.

Congressman Hanna and his wife, Kim, live in Barneveld and have two children.