Richard Neal
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| Richard Neal | |
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Massachusetts's 2nd district |
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1989-present |
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| Preceded by: | Edward Boland |
| Succeeded by: | Incumbent |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Born: | February 14, 1949 Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Spouse: | Maureen Neal |
Richard Edmund Neal (born February 14, 1949) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1989, representing Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district.
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[edit] Early life
Neal was born on February 14, 1949 in Worcester, Massachusetts. After his birth the family soon moved to the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, which the congressman considers to be his hometown. Neal attended elementary and secondary school in the city and graduated with honors from the Political Science program at American International College in 1972. He also received his Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Barney School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Hartford in 1976.
[edit] Career before Congress
Neal started his career in public service in 1973 as an assistant to Springfield Mayor William C. Sullivan. In 1978, he was elected to the Springfield City Council. Neal's career continued as President of the City Council in 1979 and mayor of Springfield from 1984 to 1989. In addition, Neal taught at the Roman Catholic Cathedral High School. As mayor, Neal was recognized for spearheading the revitalization of downtown Springfield, and was acknowledged as a "Face to Watch" in 1986 by Boston Magazine. Neal was featured in a 1987 Newsweek issue for his many accomplishments as mayor.
[edit] Congressman
First elected to Congress in 1989, taking the place of former Congressman Edward Boland. Neal's goals have often included lowering the barriers to attending college, expanding health care, protecting the rights of older Americans, and working against the privitization of Social Security. He supports the repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Neal also advocates individual retirement accounts to increase the savings rate nationally. The congressman has also worked to make health care and tuition expenses tax-deductible for middle class people.
Neal is a co-chair of the New England Congressional Caucus, a group of New England members of Congress aimed at advancing the regional interests of the six New England states collectively on a national scale. He is currently a member of both the House Ways and Means committee and the House Budget committee.
[edit] Irish Interests
Neal is the co-chair of the Ad hoc Committee on Irish Affairs and is considered one of the top 100 Irish-Americans by Irish America Magazine. Neal has worked for peace in Northern Ireland and has met with leaders of both sides in hopes of reaching a lasting compromise. After the disarmament of the IRA in September 2005, Neal met with Irish Republican Army leader Martin McGuinness to congratulate him on the action of disarmament and ensure a lasting peace had been reached.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by: Edward Boland |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district 1989 – present |
Incumbent |
| Massachusetts's current delegation to the United States Congress |
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| Senators: Edward Kennedy (D), John Kerry (D)
Representative(s): John Olver (D), Richard Neal (D), Jim McGovern (D), Barney Frank (D), Marty Meehan (D), John F. Tierney (D), Ed Markey (D), Mike Capuano (D), Stephen Lynch (D), Bill Delahunt (D) All delegations: Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming — American Samoa • District of Columbia • Guam • Puerto Rico • U.S. Virgin Islands |
