Brent Spence, a Newport native, attorney, banker, and Democratic Congressman, was one of the oldest members to serve in the House of Representatives. During his tenure, Spence chaired the U.S. House Banking and Currency Committee, and he helped to create the International Monetary Fund and Bank. He sponsored the Export-Import Federal Deposit Insurance Act. He was so influential in the community that the Brent Spence Bridge was named after him.