South Iowa News

A former U.S. representative from Iowa has died.

Passing away at the age of 101, Rep. Neal Smith (D-IA) served in Congress for 36 years, according to the Associated Press.

“The passing of a giant of public service," Twitter user Joe Gitchell said in a Nov. 4 tweet. "Former US Rep. Neal Smith, dead at 101, recalled as 'epitome' of a good public servant, 'a true Iowa treasure.'"

Smith was the longest-serving U.S. House member for the state of Iowa, according to AP.

Radio Iowa reported that he secured funding for two federal flood control reservoirs in Iowa, Saylorville and Red Rock.

Smith died Nov. 2 and left a mark during his years in service by advocating for economic development like in downtown Des Moines, AP reported.

First elected to Congress in 1958, Smith allegedly never asked for a campaign contribution during his 36 year congressional streak. 

Smith is remembered by those who survive him. One journalist that got to know the former congressman well spoke about his time working at the paper and getting to know Smith.

“I once wrote that Iowa has everything God and Neal Smith could provide,” former editor of the Des Moines Register Michael Gartner said, according to AP. “He was just an honest guy. He had a little bit of that farmer reluctance in him. When he talked, you paid attention. He always had good ideas, and he always knew how to get stuff done.”