Jim Long, former North Carolina insurance commissioner and aformer president of the National Association of InsuranceCommissioners, died yesterday. He was 68.

Mr. Long, who had served as insurance commissioner for 24 years,had suffered a stroke on Jan. 21. He retired in January.

Mr. Long collapsed while attending the final meeting of alegislative committee studying how to better pay claims following amajor hurricane, the Associated Press reported.

During the winter 2008 NAIC meeting, Mr. Long was honored forhis service. He was NAIC president in 1991.

Yesterday North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue ordered all state flagsto be flown at half-staff in Mr. Long's honor.

The governor, in a statement, called Mr. Long "a giant of aperson, a tremendous public servant and a close personal friend. Hewas serious when it came to helping the public and at the same timehe had an infectious sense of humor and personality."

Mr. Long, a Democrat who was elected commissioner in 1984, hadpreviously been general counsel to then North Carolina HouseSpeaker Liston Ramsey. In the 1970s he served as anassemblyman.

During his career he had frequent wrangles with insurers overrate increase requests. Mr. Long was known for his trademark redtie, which he wore as a tribute to his father, George.

Gov. Perdue in her statement took note of his haberdashery andhis service in government, "His red tie was legendary and so washis commitment to North Carolina. North Carolina has lost a greatleader."