Date of Birth: October 15, 1942
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Biography
James Albert Smith Leach, commonly known as Jim Leach, is an American politician and academic who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1977 to 2007. Representing Iowa’s 1st congressional district, Leach was known for his moderate stance and willingness to cross party lines. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, and attended Princeton University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. Leach then pursued further studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London and later earned a Master of Arts degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. During his tenure in Congress, Leach was a strong advocate for campaign finance reform, environmental protection, and international diplomacy. He also played a significant role in financial regulation, particularly with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which he co-sponsored. After retiring from Congress, Leach continued to contribute to public service and academia, serving as the chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities from 2009 to 2013 and teaching at several universities.
5 Interesting Facts about Jim Leach
1. Jim Leach was a wrestling champion in high school.
2. He served as a Foreign Service Officer before entering politics.
3. Leach was a co-founder of the Congressional Humanities Caucus.
4. He received the Wayne Morse Integrity in Politics Award in 2006.
5. Leach is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jim Leach
1. “Public service is a public trust.”
2. “In a democracy, respect for the rights of even the least individual among us is essentially the only thing that justifies our government.”
3. “Partisanship should stop at the water’s edge.”
4. “The essence of America’s promise is that everyone deserves a fair shot at success.”
5. “Education is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Jim Leach’s highest net worth is estimated to have been around $5 million.
Children
Jim Leach has two children, a son named Gallagher Leach and a daughter named Suzie Leach.
Relevant Links
3. [Interview with Jim Leach on C-SPAN](https://www.c-span.org/person/?jamesleach
4. [Jim Leach on the Iowa Public Radio](https://www.iowapublicradio.org/people/jim-leach
