Richard Neal

:"For the U.S. Marine Corps general, see Richard I. Neal"Infobox_Congressman
name =Richard Neal


date of birth=birth date and age|1949|02|14
place of birth =Worcester, Massachusetts
state = Massachusetts
district = 2nd
term_start = January 3, 1989
preceded = Edward Boland
succeeded = Incumbent
party =Democrat
religion = Roman Catholic
spouse = Maureen Neal
alma_mater= American International College, University of Hartford
occupation= high school teacher
residence= Springfield, Massachusetts

Richard Edmund Neal (born February 14 1949) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1989, representing ushr|Massachusetts|2|.

Neal is a former high school teacher. He was educated at American International College and received a master's degree from the University of Hartford. Neal resides in Springfield with his wife.

Pre-Congressional career

Neal started his career in public service in 1973 as an assistant to Springfield Mayor William C. Sullivan (politician). 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.

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.

In addition to his duties as a congressman, Neal teaches a journalism course at the University of Massachusetts Amherst called "The Politician and the Journalist".

Committee Assignments

*Ways and Means Committee
**Subcommittee on Oversight
**Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures (Chairman)
*At-Large Whip
*Co-chairman of the New England Congressional Caucus
*Chairman of the Friends of Ireland

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 Sinn Fein MP Martin McGuinness to congratulate him on the action of disarmament and ensure a lasting peace had been reached.

External links

* [http://www.house.gov/neal/ Congressman Richard E. Neal] official U.S. House site
* [http://www.nealforcongress.com/ Richard Neal for Congress] official campaign site
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Richard_Neal Profile] at SourceWatch Congresspedia
* [http://www.house.gov/neal/news/news56.html Response to IRA Disarmament] September 26, 2005