Seattle's Lisa Norton, Canada's Len Farber honored at Midyear Conference.

Lisa Norton of TEI's Seattle Chapter and former Canadian official Len Farber were recipients of TEI awards during the Institute's 57th Midyear Conference in March. In presenting Ms. Norton with TEI's President's Award during the Tuesday night banquet, Institute President David Bernard noted her active participation in TEI activities during her 18 years of membership. "Lisa became an active member of TEI's International Tax Committee shortly after joining the Institute," he said, and subsequently served as the committee's chain

"In 1997, Lisa was asked to step in and chair the Institute's State and Local Tax Committee, an assignment that she excelled in," Mr. Bernard stated. In addition, TEI's president noted Ms. Norton's participation in the Institute's Electronic Commerce Coordinating Committee, Membership Committee and its Subcommittee on Recruitment and Retention, and Task Force on Fundamental Tax Reform.

"Lisa's many years of dedicated service to the Institute truly make her a worthy recipient of this award," he concluded.

In accepting the award, Ms. Norton cited two small examples of the kind of commitment TEI members exhibit time and again: technical sessions that used to be held at 9:00 Sunday morning and committee meetings scheduled for seven o'clock in the morning. In spite of the hour, "we consistently had a room full of members," she said, "who were eager to share their views."

"It is the commitment and involvement of so many members that makes this a great organization," Ms. Norton said. She thanked "the many people with whom I have had the privilege of working over the years: the New Jersey Chapter, the Seattle Chapter, Region VIII, all of the various committees, and of course, TEI's dedicated staff." She singled out former TEI President Raymond Rossi for getting her involved with the organization and TEI General Counsel Mary Lou Fahey for her support over the years.

Earlier the same day, Mr. Bernard presented TEI's Distinguished Service Award to Len Farber, who retired last year from the Canadian Department of Finance where he served for 32 years, most recently as General Director, Tax Legislation Branch. Noting that Mr. Farber was the principal official responsible for the development of tax legislation and an important influence in the formation of tax policy for more than a decade, Mr. Bernard called him an active supporter and participant in TEI's annual liaison meetings, as well as a frequent attendee at the TEI's Annual Canadian Conference.

"While Len and his staff did not always agree with TEI's perspectives," Mr. Bernard stated, "they did provide the opportunity for an open and constructive dialogue on the relevant issues. Len was always respectful and responsive, but his candor benefitted TEI greatly."

"During my tenure at Finance," Mr. Farber stated in accepting the award, "I was consistently impressed with the level of professionalism and the manner in which issues of great complexity and concern were brought to my attention." TEI's annual liaison meetings--as well as the annual Canadian conference--were always viewed with anticipation and an opportunity to engage in meaningful debate where everyone's level of understanding of complex issues evolved.

He called the experience one that "reminds me that it was not just a work-related experience, but one of partnership in addressing tax issues of mutual concern and with that partnership, the development of long-standing friendships. If I can voice any regret about my departure from government," he added, "I can honestly say it is the lack of involvement and connection to TEI on an on-going basis. I valued it then and I treasure those years now."