Washington Conference Focuses On Effectively Shaping The Future

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May/June 1998 - Volume 77, Number 3

Washington insider communication at the highest level was much in evidence during the 1998 ALTA® Mid-Year Convention/Leadership Conference held in the nation’s capital. From Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX) through an impressive list of Capitol Hill dignitaries, to Fannie Mae Vice Chair Jamie Gorelick and others with expertise in various subject areas impacting the title business, those joining in discussion and dialogue with title professionals in attendance presented a powerful lineup of movers and shakers.

Informed insight was in abundance, a leading example being the panel of Congressional staffers on RESPA/Truth-in-Lending Reform, which was moderated by ALTA® Abstracter-Agent Chair Cara Detring. Panelists included John Harrington, House Committee on Ways and Means tax counsel; Gary Parker, House Banking Committee general counsel, and Christine Hesse, legislative counsel to Senate Banking Committee Financial Institutions Subcommittee Chair Lauch Faircloth (R-NC).

Providing a traditional centerpiece for the event were the constitutent visits by ALTA® members with their elected Senators and Representatives, where conversations targeted the leading issues of concern to the title industry. Interwoven with it all was a full schedule of meetings for the Association Board of Governors and committees.

Holding the Convention Ice-Breaker/Congressional Reception at Washington’s recently refurbished Union Station, historic site of inaugural balls, brought the right touch in terms of ambiance, as did a program appearance by CNN’s Capital Gang for some rapid fire political debate. Helping keep the political atmosphere charged was another speaker dignitary, Republican National Committee Chair Jim Nicholson.

When ALTA® President Malcolm S. Morris adjourned the Convention after its final session, it was clear that much had been imparted and a great deal accomplished in a compact time frame.