Ohio Congressman Tony Hall (D-Ohio), who first butted heads with and then worked alongside the diamond industry on conflict diamond legislation, is leaving Congress after 22 years.

Hall recently accepted an appointment by the Bush administration to serve as United States Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture.

His motive likely wasn’t political, as his Dayton-area seat is considered safe. Among possible replacements is Hall’s chief of staff, Rick Carne, who also was active on the conflict diamond issue.

Hall’s “Clean Diamond Trade Act” recently passed Congress overwhelmingly but now is stalled in the Senate.