[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 27 (Monday, February 22, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING DAVID HURD

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I wish to honor David Hurd on his 
passing.
  David was 86 years old, but his family and friends would tell you he 
packed much more into his years than even his long life would suggest.
  He was a prominent businessman, chief executive officer of the 
Principal Financial Group from 1989 to 1994, and a member of the Iowa 
Business Hall of Fame.
  He is credited with helping to build Principal into the global 
powerhouse company it is today.
  David also was a well-regarded civic leader.
  He wasn't a native Iowan, but Des Moines became his home in 1954 when 
he came to work for what was then Banker's Life, now Principal 
Financial.
  Having lived in Des Moines for so many years, he became an advocate 
and an activist for making Des Moines an attractive place to live and 
work.
  Des Moines is a thriving city today, and David did a lot to 
contribute to its success.
  It was fitting that his longtime home was a high-rise building 
downtown, right in the middle of everything, where he could enjoy the 
benefits of city living and watch Des Moines change in so many positive 
ways.
  David also held many hobbies and interests in diverse areas: running, 
patronizing the arts, playing Scrabble, rowing, protecting the 
environment, and more.
  He made friends across these many fields who were united in their 
regard for his zest for life, sense of humor, and intellectual 
curiosity.
  The phrase ``renaissance man'' is sometimes overused, but in David 
Hurd's case, it is 100-percent accurate.
  Des Moines and the State of Iowa are richer for having had this 
renaissance man in our midst.

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