This is an autographed photo from James Abdnor to Kristin, a ThinkQuest member.

Senator James Abdnor was born on February 13, 1923, in Kennebec, South Dakota, to Samuel and Mary Abdnor.  He attended Kennebec grade and high school.  He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a BA in Business Administration.  He was president of the Sigma Chi fraternity and a member of the University of Nebraska Student Council.

          He was a teacher and coach, and also a farmer-rancher of Lyman County, where James Abdnor is still a registered voter.  Senator Abdnor is also a WWII veteran and served in the United States Army.

        He is a member of the Methodist Church; Elks; Masons; O.E.S. Consistory; American Legion; South Dakota Wheat Producers, Stockgrowers, Farm Bureau & Farmers Union; Lions International, and Isaac Walton League.

          James was active in many political positions in Lyman County and the State.  He was Chairman for the Lyman County Young Republicans; Precinct Chairman; State Young Republicans Chairman; Farm Chairman; Chairman of the Young Republicans National Federation.

          Senator Abdnor served as first assistant chief clerk of the House of Representatives from 1951 through 1955.  He was elected to represent the twenty-ninth district in the State Senate in 1956 and was re-elected for four more terms.  In 1966, Abdnor was elected to represent the twenty-fourth district.  He also served as President Pro-tem of the South Dakota Senate from 1965 to 1966.  He served 5 terms as South Dakota State Senator.  He served as executive member on the board of the Legislative Research Council from 1965-1968.  Then, in 1968, he was elected as Lieutenant Governor.

          James Abdnor was elected to the 93^rd  U.S. House of Representatives, from the South Dakota Second District, on November 7, 1972. He was re-elected to the 94^th, 95^th, and 96^th Congresses.  (During that time, South Dakota had two representatives. It now has only one representative in the U. S. Congress.)  

         In 1980, he was elected to the United States Senate.  He served until 1986.

         In 1987, he was appointed as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C.

            Mr. Abdnor still maintains the home where he was raised in Kennebec.  He also owns a home in Rapid City and one in Ft. Myers, Florida.  To keep active, he still enjoys attending basketball games, especially in Lyman County, and also jogging and golfing.

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