Jim Long, former North Carolina insurance commissioner and a former president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, 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 a legislative committee studying how to better pay claims following a major hurricane, the Associated Press reported.
During the winter 2008 NAIC meeting, Mr. Long was honored for his service. He was NAIC president in 1991.
Yesterday North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue ordered all state flags to be flown at half-staff in Mr. Long's honor.
The governor, in a statement, called Mr. Long "a giant of a person, a tremendous public servant and a close personal friend. He was serious when it came to helping the public and at the same time he had an infectious sense of humor and personality."
Mr. Long, a Democrat who was elected commissioner in 1984, had previously been general counsel to then North Carolina House Speaker Liston Ramsey. In the 1970s he served as an assemblyman.
During his career he had frequent wrangles with insurers over rate increase requests. Mr. Long was known for his trademark red tie, which he wore as a tribute to his father, George.
Gov. Perdue in her statement took note of his haberdashery and his service in government, "His red tie was legendary and so was his commitment to North Carolina. North Carolina has lost a great leader."
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