Orrin Hatch

Orrin Grant Hatch (March 22, 1934 – April 23, 2024) was an American politician and lawyer who represented Utah in the U.S. Senate for 42 years, from 1977 until his retirement in 2019. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Hatch earned a law degree from Brigham Young University and built a successful legal practice before entering politics. As a senior Republican senator, he chaired multiple committees including the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, wielding substantial influence over legislation related to healthcare, taxation, and intellectual property. Hatch was instrumental in shaping the Americans with Disabilities Act and was a major architect of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A prolific legislator who authored or co-authored significant conservative policies, Hatch also composed music and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His long Senate tenure made him a defining figure in late 20th and early 21st century American conservatism, and his ability to work across party lines earned him respect from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.