The Center for Human Rights mourns the loss of Jim Leach, who passed away on December 11, 2024. Jim was a friend and supporter of the Center since its inception. While a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he helped facilitate Global Focus: Human Rights '98, the yearlong lecture series from which the Center was founded, beginning his long engagement with UICHR. Jim was an honorary member of the Center's inaugural board of directors, and in 2008 he was honored with the Center's Courage of Conviction award. Following 30 years in Congress, posts at Princeton University and Harvard University, and his tenure as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Jim joined the faculty of the UI College of Law and during this time served as UICHR's Senior Scholar. After retiring, he become an active member of UICHR's advisory board. The Center is grateful for Jim's contributions over the years and his dedication to fundamental principles of human rights. Jim's obituary is available here; we are humbled that his family has suggested donations to UICHR in his memory.