Neil Abercrombie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neil Abercrombie
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| 7th Governor of Hawaii | |
| In office December 6, 2010 – December 1, 2014 |
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| Lieutenant | Brian Schatz Shan Tsutsui |
| Preceded by | Linda Lingle |
| Succeeded by | David Ige |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 1st district |
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| In office January 3, 1991 – February 28, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Pat Saiki |
| Succeeded by | Charles Djou |
| In office September 20, 1986 – January 3, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Cecil Heftel |
| Succeeded by | Pat Saiki |
| Member of the Honolulu City Council | |
| In office 1988–1990 |
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| Member of the Hawaii Senate | |
| In office 1980–1986 |
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| Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives |
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| In office 1975–1979 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | June 26, 1938 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Nancie Caraway
(m. 1981) |
| Education | Union College (AB) University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (MA, PhD) |
| Signature |  |
Neil Abercrombie (born June 26, 1938) is an American politician. He served as the seventh governor of Hawaii from 2010 to 2014. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Abercrombie was born in Buffalo, New York. He studied at Union College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His political career began in 1975. He won a seat in the Hawai'i House of Representatives. He later served in the Hawai'i State Senate. He also worked on the Honolulu City Council.
He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1991. He represented Hawai'i's 1st congressional district for many years. This district covers urban Honolulu. In 2010, he ran for governor of Hawai'i. He won the election and became governor on December 6, 2010.
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Early Life and Education
Neil Abercrombie was born on June 26, 1938. His birthplace was Buffalo, New York. He graduated from Williamsville High School. He then went to Union College in Schenectady, New York. There, he earned his bachelor's degree in sociology in 1959.
In September 1959, he moved to Honolulu. He studied at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He earned a master's degree in sociology. Later, he received a doctorate in American Studies. While at the university, he became friends with President Barack Obama's parents. Their names were Ann Dunham and Barack Obama Sr..
To support himself, Abercrombie worked several jobs. He was a waiter and a locker desk clerk. He also worked as a custodian and a construction program director. He was an elementary school teacher and a college lecturer.
Political Journey
Abercrombie first got involved in politics in 1970. He ran for the U.S. Senate but was not successful. He then ran for the Hawai'i State House. He served there from 1975 to 1979.
For his early campaigns, he used a yellow Checker Taxi. His name and face were painted on the side. This showed his unique and unconventional style. In 1979, he was elected to the Hawai'i State Senate. He served there from 1980 to 1986.
In 1986, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. This was a special election to finish a term. However, he lost the primary election for a full term that same day. After this, he served on the Honolulu City Council from 1988 to 1990.
Serving in U.S. Congress
In 1990, Abercrombie ran for Congress again and won. He was reelected ten times. In the 2008 election, he won with a large number of votes.
He was part of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. This group supports liberal policies. He voted for the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act. In 2002, he voted against authorizing the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also supported making it easier for Americans to vote.
Abercrombie strongly supported civil liberties. He voted against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996. He also voted against a constitutional amendment in 2006. This amendment would have limited marriage to one man and one woman. He was one of only nine representatives who did not vote on the USA PATRIOT Act in 2001. In 2005, he voted against extending this act. He called it "a blank check to trample civil liberties."
In 2007, he supported a bill for a national health insurance program. He resigned from Congress on February 28, 2010. He did this to focus on his campaign for governor.
Abercrombie was chairman of a subcommittee on Air and Land Forces. He was also a senior member of the Natural Resources Committee. He helped create laws for military family housing. These laws involved partnerships between the military and private companies.
Running for Governor in 2010
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On March 9, 2009, Abercrombie announced he would run for governor of Hawai'i. He resigned from Congress in December 2009. This allowed him to focus on his campaign. Charles Djou, a Republican, took his place in Congress.
During his campaign, Abercrombie shared his "A New Day in Hawai'i Plan." This plan was based on Hawai'i's values. He talked to many people, including business leaders, teachers, and students. He held meetings on every island to hear from residents.
Abercrombie won the Democratic primary election on September 18, 2010. He defeated his opponent, Mufi Hannemann. On November 2, 2010, Abercrombie won the general election. He defeated Republican nominee Duke Aiona. He became Hawai'i's 7th governor.
Governor of Hawaii
Neil Abercrombie became governor of Hawai'i on December 6, 2010. He was 72 years old when he took office. He was the oldest current U.S. governor for a short time.
In February 2011, Abercrombie signed a bill into law. This bill made civil unions legal in Hawai'i. His predecessor, Linda Lingle, had vetoed a similar law. In 2013, he called a special session of the Hawai'i Legislature. This was to consider a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. He signed this bill into law on November 13, 2013. The new law took effect on December 2, 2013. Hawai'i was the 15th state to legalize same-sex marriage.
When Senator Daniel Inouye passed away, Abercrombie had to appoint a replacement. He chose Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz. Schatz is now Hawai'i's senior U.S. Senator.
President Obama appointed Abercrombie to the Council of Governors. He served from 2012 to 2014. This council focuses on national security and homeland defense. It also deals with military activities in the United States.
In November 2013, Abercrombie joined Obama's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience. This group developed recommendations for the federal government. They focused on how to support local efforts for climate preparedness. Hawai'i also signed the Majuro Declaration in September 2013. This made Hawai'i the first sub-national government to sign.
In the August 9, 2014, Democratic primary election, Abercrombie was defeated. State senator David Ige won the primary. Abercrombie became the first sitting governor in Hawai'i to lose a primary election.
Personal Life
In 1981, Neil Abercrombie married Nancie Caraway. She is a political scientist and writer. They live in the Mānoa Valley area of Honolulu.
Abercrombie enjoys powerlifting. He aims to lift 200 pounds more than his age on his birthday. On his 72nd birthday, he bench-pressed 272 pounds.
In 2006, the Caledonian Society of Hawai'i named him "Scot of the Year."
See also
In Spanish: Neil Abercrombie para niños
