From the President Jun 1999

I am blessed and, well, just plain lucky to be able to serve the ABI as President at a time when ABI programs and
services are performing beyond anyone's expectations, and at a time when major bankruptcy legislation is working
its way through Congress. My excitement is tempered only by the difficult challenge of following in the footsteps
of past presidents, Deborah Williamson, Bob Fishman and Bob Zinman, who have presided over a
"Renaissance" period for the ABI. Fortunately these leaders, along with the ABI staff, the Board of Directors, and
you, the members, have established a rock-solid foundation upon which to build.

I would like to share the goals I have for the ABI and ask your help this year in achieving them.

1. Managing Growth. ABI is growing at a record pace in every category: membership, attendance at programs,
   quantity and quality of ABI publications, web site activity and visibility on a national level. With so much growth,
   I believe we must be vigilant in ensuring that ABI still remains a grass-roots, user-friendly organization where every
   member feels he or she can make a meaningful contribution.
2. Public Service. We should build and strengthen ABI's commitment to public service, research and education.
   Thanks to the generosity of our members and solid financial management, the ABI Endowment Fund is in a better
   position than ever to assist research and education projects that will benefit both the "bankruptcy community" and
   the public at large. I have asked Gerry Buccino to lead the ABI Endowment Committee in an effort to seek out and
   support worthy projects.
3. Liaisons. We should continue to improve upon our great relationships with other bankruptcy organizations,
   such as the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ), National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
   (NABT), National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees (NACTT) and the American College of Bankruptcy.
4. Strategic Planning. During this year, I will be asking many of you to help ABI in strategic planning for the
   future.

While ABI is moving into the new millennium, it is worth pausing and recognizing the many dedicated board
members whose officer terms expired this year. One person Ineed to single out is Prof. Bob Zinman, whose term as
ABI Chairman ended in April.

Prof. Zinman's contributions to the ABI are nothing short of amazing. Starting from scratch, he has organized and
supervised the editing and publication of the ABI Law Review. With the help of Judge Duberstein and many of our
New York area members, Prof. Zinman and his students have made the Judge Conrad B. Duberstein Moot Court
Competition one of the most prestigious events of its kind. Now, to complete a "hat trick," Bob is directing the
creation of the first LL.M. program for bankruptcy studies at St. John's University. In that project, Bob has
involved literally dozens of ABI members in creating a truly unique academic program. Fortunately, we know that
Bob will stay as active in ABI as ever.

New International Initiative

ABI's Board of Directors approved a new international initiative designed to extend the breadth of the ABI's
membership around the world. ABI is already the largest bankruptcy and insolvency organization in the world and
has an active focus on international matters. Our International Committee has approximately 500 members, and ABI
is represented in more than 20 countries worldwide.

At the suggestion of ABI Vice President-International Affairs James A. Goodman, the directors have approved a
project to increase ABI's representation to between 50-75 countries. The countries in which ABI is currently
represented include Argentina, Austria, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, China, Cyprus, France, Germany, Israel,
Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the
United Kingdom.

With the expansion of our international membership, ABI will have a first-rate network of experienced insolvency
professionals in a wide variety of countries. If anyone has a friend or a good contact in another country who would
be interested in joining ABI, please encourage him or her to do so, or fax or e-mail their name and address to ABI
Membership Coordinator Chris Thackston (703/739-1060, or cthackston@abiworld.org). We appreciate everyone's
support for our new international initiative.

Medal Certificate Winners

ABI congratulates the winners of the 1999 ABI Medal of Excellence in Bankruptcy. Top law students from around
the country are recognized through this program, coordinated by Christopher F. Graham (Thacher, Proffitt & Wood; New York). The program honors the achievements of law students selected by their deans and bankruptcy
law faculty, and consists of engraved medals and certificates suitable for framing, as well as a one-year
complimentary membership to ABI. Congratulations to the following winners: