Neal Edward Smith

Neal Edward Smith
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 4th and 5th district
In office January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	Paul Cunningham
Succeeded by	Greg Ganske
Personal details
Born	(1920-03-23) March 23, 1920 Hedrick, Iowa
Political party	Democratic Party
Spouse(s)	Beatrice Haven

Neal Edward Smith (born March 23, 1920) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Iowa from 1959 until 1995 — the longest-serving Iowan in the United States House of Representatives. He was born in his grandparents' home near Hedrick, Keokuk County, Iowa. He served in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War as a bomber pilot. His plane was shot down and he received a Purple Heart, nine Battle stars, and the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters. He received his undergraduate training at the University of Missouri and Syracuse University and received a law degree from Drake University in 1950. He was elected to the House of Representatives in the Democratic landslide of 1958 and served in Congress from 1959 to 1995. He was defeated in the Republican landslide of 1994 by Greg Ganske.

Neal Smith married Beatrice Haven and had two kids, Doug and Sharon.

The Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City, Iowa is named after the former congressman. The Neal and Bea Smith Law Center at Drake University is named after the former congressman and his wife.

In 1996 Smith published his autobiography, Mr. Smith Went to Washington: From Eisenhower to Clinton.

External links

• Neal Edward Smith at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Paul Cunningham	U.S. House of Representatives, 5th Iowa District 1959–1973	Succeeded by William J. Scherle
Preceded by John Kyl	U.S. House of Representatives, 4th Iowa District 1973–1995	Succeeded by Greg Ganske