A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of jim long, former commissioner of insurance and member of the general assembly.

Whereas, James Eugene "Jim" Long was born on March 19, 1940, in Burlington, North Carolina, to George Attmore Long and Helen Brooks Long; and
Whereas, Jim Long attended North Carolina State University from 1958 to 1962 and then transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1963 and a law degree in 1966; and
Whereas, Jim Long practiced law for a number of years before seeking public office like his father and grandfather before him, both of whom served in the General Assembly; and
Whereas, Jim Long served in the General Assembly representing the citizens of Alamance County as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1971 to 1975; and
Whereas, Jim Long served as Chief Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Insurance from 1975 to 1976 and later as legal counsel to the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1981 to 1984; and
Whereas, Jim Long was elected as Insurance Commissioner in 1984 and was reelected five times; and
Whereas, Jim Long was a fierce advocate for the consumers of this State, maintaining fair and adequate automobile and homeowners insurance rates; and
Whereas, Jim Long accomplished many things to protect the interests of consumers, including creating a Patients' Bill of Rights and establishing a high‑risk insurance pool; and
Whereas, upon his retirement in 2009, Jim Long had earned the distinction of being the State's longest‑serving Insurance Commissioner and the third longest serving Insurance Commissioner in the nation; and
Whereas, Jim Long served as President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in 1991 and subsequently served as "immediate past president" of the NAIC five times; and
Whereas, Jim Long served in many capacities on a number of boards and commissions, including Chair of the North Carolina Safe Kids, President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Chair of the Property Tax Commission, and as a member of the North Carolina Prevention Partners, North Carolina Arson Awareness Council, and the North Carolina Manufactured Housing Board; and
Whereas, Jim Long will be remembered for wearing a red necktie every day in honor of his father, who always did the same; and
Whereas, Jim Long died on February 2, 2009, at the age of 68; and
Whereas, Jim Long is survived by his wife, Mary Margaret "Peg" O'Connell; his son, James E. Long, Jr.; a daughter, Rebecca A. Long; and five grandchildren, Steven A. Long, Morgan B. Long, Kristina R. McNeal, Matthew C. McNeal, and Hannah E. Englehart; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly wishes to honor the memory of James Eugene "Jim" Long and expresses the gratitude and appreciation of this State and its citizens for the service he rendered to the people of North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the family of James Eugene "Jim" Long for the loss of a beloved and distinguished family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of James Eugene "Jim" Long.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 26th day of May, 2009.

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		 Walter H. Dalton
	 President of the Senate

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		 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives