Neal Smith (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neal Edward Smith
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa |
|
| In office January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1995 |
|
| Preceded by | Paul Cunningham |
| Succeeded by | Greg Ganske |
| Constituency | 5th district (1959–1973) 4th district (1973–1995) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 23, 1920 Keokuk County, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | November 2, 2021 (aged 101) Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Beatrix Havens
(m. 1946; died 2016) |
| Children | 2 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |  Purple Heart Air Medal (4) |
Neal Edward Smith (born March 23, 1920 – died November 2, 2021) was an American politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives for the Democratic Party from Iowa. He served from 1959 until 1995. This made him the longest-serving person from Iowa in the U.S. House of Representatives.
When another former member of Congress, Lester L. Wolff, passed away in May 2021, Neal Smith became the oldest living current or former member of Congress. He held this special title until he died six months later.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Neal Smith was born in a small town near Hedrick, Iowa, in Keokuk County, Iowa. When World War II began, he joined the United States Army Air Forces. He became a bomber pilot.
During the war, his plane was shot down. For his bravery and injuries, he received a Purple Heart medal. He also earned the Air Medal four times. After the war, he was one of the first in his group to leave the military and quickly went to college.
He studied at the University of Missouri and Syracuse University. Later, he earned a law degree from Drake University in 1950.
Political Career
Before he became a politician, Neal Smith worked as a lawyer for Polk County. He was also the National President of the Young Democratic Clubs of America from 1953 to 1955. He helped lead the Polk County Welfare Board from 1953 to 1954.
Joining Congress
Smith was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1958. This was a big year for the Democratic Party. He was reelected 17 more times! He represented the area around Des Moines, Iowa. His district was called the 5th District from 1959 to 1973, and then the 4th District from 1973 to 1995.
The Anti-Nepotism Law
Neal Smith helped create an important law in 1967. This law is called the federal anti-nepotism law. It stops public officials, including the President, from giving jobs to their family members in government agencies.
Smith said he wanted to stop unfair hiring practices. He noticed that some people in the postal service and even members of Congress were hiring their wives. He wanted to make sure jobs were given fairly, not just to family members.
End of His Time in Congress
In the 1990s, the boundaries of his district changed. His new district covered a large area from Des Moines all the way to Council Bluffs, Iowa. This was an area he didn't know well, and the people there didn't know him.
Because of these changes, he lost his election in 1994 to Greg Ganske. This was part of a big change in politics called the Republican Revolution.
Personal Life and Legacy
Neal Smith married Beatrix Havens in 1946. They had two children, Doug and Sharon. Beatrix passed away in 2016.
Several places are named after Neal Smith because of his important work:
- The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City, Iowa, is a special place for nature.
- The Neal Smith Trail in Des Moines is a popular path.
- The Neal Smith Federal Building in Des Moines is a government building.
- The Neal and Bea Smith Law Center at Drake University is named after him and his wife.
Neal Smith also wrote three books about his life and experiences:
- Mr. Smith Went to Washington: From Eisenhower to Clinton (1996)
- Hanging Out in Bur Oak: During the 1930s Depression, Bootleggers, the Draft, World War II, a Leveling Experience (2009)
- From My Century to Yours: Wisdom from the Near 100-Year Life of Former Congressman Neal Edward Smith (2019)
When he left Congress, Neal Smith had served longer than anyone else from Iowa in the House of Representatives. While other politicians like Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley have served longer overall in Congress (House and Senate combined), Neal Smith still holds the record for serving the longest only in the House of Representatives.
He turned 100 years old in March 2020. Neal Smith passed away on November 2, 2021, at the age of 101.
