With its unique mission in place and its offices in New York and Albany set up, The American Life Insurance Congress (ALIC), a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade group, began operation as a true congress representing every sector of the life insurance industry, and has invited industry leaders to join in the effort, according to Mark Ross, chairman and CEO of ALIC, and president of Mark Ross and Company, Inc.

Ross stated, Our mission is generally unique in the world of associations, as we endeavor to provide, systematically and architecturally, for the free exchange of ideas drawn from the broadest range of views. This will result in dynamically informed opinions from the full spectrum of market participants and other entities functioning in todays American life insurance enterprise.

According to Peter Molinaro, president and chief operating officer of ALIC, and former senior deputy superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department, ALICs agenda is being advanced at a most opportune time: After years serving as a regulator and attending meetings of regulators, legislators, and industry officials, I am sure that our mission will serve a critical purpose at this particular time in the development of the life insurance industry and the growing secondary life market. From the definition and understanding of certain products to the advocacy of adequate and fitting regulation, the ALIC will perform an exceptional service for this industry, Molinaro told us.

The mission statement of the association as adopted is as follows:

The American Life Insurance Congress (ALIC) is a nonprofit organization (501)(c)(6) conceived to serve and consist of all major constituencies participating in the American life insurance industry. ALIC is dedicated to the independent research and deliberation of critical issues in the life insurance marketplace and to providing a forum for all market participants to exchange ideas and views. ALIC seeks to foster integrity in business practices, informed regulation, and education of participants in the innovative and evolving life insurance market. Together with its research, development, and best practices objectives, the congress distributes its research finds, white papers, task force reports, committee transactions, exposure drafts, journals, periodicals, and commissioned studies. The congress conducts forums, conventions, and symposia regionally and nationally for its membership, subscription base, and the general public. The ALIC is firmly committed to the use of the most innovative and advanced technologies available, including interactive modes, to serve its members and its broader constituencies, including subscribers, most effectively.

As suggested by our institutional symbol, a congressional edifice, the American Life Insurance Congress strives, in fact, to be precisely such a representative body; a congress for the American life insurance industry. As such, its members, representing the full spectrum of industry interests, deliberate and vote upon selected referenda developed as a result of the collaborative enterprise of ALICs several committees and task force and approved by its governing board.

It is the firm belief of the founding board of governors of the ALIC that the outcome of such a voting format will reflect an unprecedented diversity of opinion and experience and, thus, provide for the highest order of intellectual substance and moral suasion.

In addition to Ross and Molinaro, members of the board of governors include: vice chairman Harry P. Kamen, former chairman and chief executive officer of Met Life, Inc.; James J. Rhodes, chief executive officer and director of San Pasqual Fiduciary Trust; and Lt. General Martin R. Steele (Ret.), former deputy chief of staff, policy, plans, and operations, chief operating officer, United States Marine Corps.

The ALIC will undertake to define key terms in the fast-growing secondary life market and to set best practices models in place. To join, call 518-694-0102.