Prominent Iowa congressman Jim Leach dies

Prominent Iowa Congressman Jim Leach died on Dec. 11 at the age of 82. .Leach's political career spanned from 1977-2007 as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Iowa's 2nd Congressional District..Leach was considered a major figure in setting banking policy during his time as chair of the U.S. House Banking Committee from 1995-2001. He co-authored the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which allowed for the intermixing of insurance, banking and securities activities. .After his time in Congress, Leach held academic positions at Princeton University, Harvard University and the University of Iowa. He chaired the National Endowment for the Humanities, and was considered a strong advocate for the humanities and a defender of American democracy, according to the Iowa Bankers Association. .The IBA created the James A. Leach award in 2000 to honor Iowa bankers for their impact on their bank, community and industry. ."Although at the center of policymaking impacting every corner of our financial system, Jim Leach believed Iowa's network of community banks provided the model for how to best meet the financial needs of consumers, farmers and small businesses in our country," said IBA President and CEO John Sorensen. "Jim was a great American who will be missed by his many friends and admirers in Iowa banking." .Leach was born on Oct. 15, 1942, in Davenport, Iowa. He was the great-grandson of Samuel Leach, a banker from Adel, Iowa, who chaired the IBA in 1917-18..A celebration of life for Leach is slated for next spring.