In the best-selling book Tuesday's with Morrie, welearned many wise lessons from sociology professor Morrie Schwartz,as shared by the book's author, Mitch Albom.

We learned lessons of acceptance, communication, love, moralvalues, openness and happiness. We learned these lessonsthrough the kind of wisdom that can only come from a caring andadept person, who has had a lengthy and rich life.

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At IASA, and broadly throughout the industry, we have beenprivileged to have our own “Morrie”—Morty Mann. Many of youknow Morty because he has been teaching us all about statutoryaccounting, and annual statement reporting for a long time. With his booming voice and infectious positive spirit he has beenan energetic and knowledgeable force—and resource—for thousands ofconference attendees, friends, and clients.

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Morty started his insurance career back in 1959 with ColonialPenn Group. He held positions of controller, vice presidentand Chief Financial Officer of Colonial Penn's property/casualtyoperations; president of Intramerica Life (Colonial Penn New YorkLife Operations) and senior vice president of the group.

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After “retiring” in 1988 other work-related positions includedsenior vice president of Trinity Square Services, (an internationalconsulting operation); chairman of the Insurance Advisory Board ofGlobal Financial Press; senior vice president of insuranceregulatory affairs at St Ives Burrups Insurance Division;, and asenior advisor for Bowne Insurance Services (now RRDonnelly).

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Through many of these outstanding positions he has been along-time volunteer for IASA. His accomplishments for ourorganization include speaking at seminars, as a co-editor andcontributing writer for our textbooks, chairing committees, andmuch more.

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I have known Morty for about the last 15 years of his career andhe has been a wonderful personal resource to me. I have beenimpressed with his respect throughout the industry and in the wayhe has selflessly served the insurance industry.

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He has truly had an amazing career.

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That would be enough for most people, but not Morty. Onthe personal side Morty has done just as much, alongside his lovelywife Herminia (Hermie) of more than fifty years. Morty and Hermiehave two daughters and three grandchildren, of which they are veryproud.

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Morty and Hermie have been world travelers, going to Europe andAsia and still take frequent trips. Morty plays golf and he andHermie have been active in a gourmet cooking group.

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Morty also loves the theatre, and not just from theaudience. He is a bit of a thespian and has acted in theatreproductions of his synagogue, which he is also active in. Heonce had the starring role of Tevye in Fiddler on theRoof. That must have been something to see.

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From my perspective Morty is an absolute gem. He is thatrare individual who never seems to have a bad day. He is agreat example, and someone that I am proud to call a trustedfriend.

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So my recommendation is that all of you swing by the IASA TownCenter in the exhibit hall and have a little, “Tuesday withMorty”. He will be there today, volunteering for IASA, andshowing off the wonderful IASA textbooks he helped make a reality,and, serving an industry that has had the good fortune to have hiscaring attention for many years.