Since American Express first coined the phrase, "membership has its privileges," the words have been used to describe everything from your local gym to the United Nations. So, while I realize it may be a bit clich, I have to tell you that I think it can also be aptly applied to the IASA.

Membership in the IASA is made even more valuable each time a new company joins and adds voices, volunteers and experience to an already diverse mix of insurance professionals within this association.

With that in mind, I would like to welcome some new members to our ranks:

* Fiduciary Insurance Company of America

* Fox Technologies

* Genworth Financial

*Adobe Systems, Inc.

* ImageNow by Perceptive Vision

* MCIS Zurich Insurance Berhad

* Information Builders, Inc.

* Tritech Financial Systems, Inc.

* Southern Eagle Insurance Company

* Integro Insurance Brokers, Ltd.

* Lawson Software

* Premier Bank

As you know, these companies, and all of lASA's member companies, are part of a somewhat battered insurance industry. Recent financial scandals, privacy breaches, and lawsuits over allegedly withheld coverage and payments have put a "doom and gloom" face on insurance in the minds of many Americans. But today, several terrible natural disasters including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma have provided a fantastic opportunity for insurance companies and the industry as a whole, to shine.

According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA), a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, "Hurricane Katrina became the most destructive hurricane to strike the United States." This Category 5 event created the now infamous storm surge that inundated New Orleans and devastated countless other cities and lives throughout the Gulf Coast. Followed closely by Hurricane Rita, these two events equated to a one-two punch by Mother Nature that brought several major American cities to their knees.

With the Insurance Information Institute estimating over $40 billion in insured losses from Hurricane Katrina and $4.7 billion in insured losses from Hurricane Rita, and thousands displaced or separated from their families, the insurance industry faced a daunting task.

Within a month of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Wilma slammed into Florida with wind speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. This storm ripped swiftly across the state, resulting in another major hurricane event for 2005, costing insurers another $6.1 billion.

In contrast to a lackluster governmental response, starting as soon as the day after Hurricane Katrina the insurance process was in action with adjusters on the ground in horribly stricken areas. Many of these adjusters left their families behind and even put their own hurricane damaged homes aside in order to ensure the promises made to their company's policyholders were upheld.

Tens of thousands of claims have already been filed and billions of dollars in insurance settlements are on the way to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and beyond. Insurance professionals across the country can and should take pride in the fact that these settlements will be a part of the foundation upon which the Gulf States will rebuild as residents and businesses reinvest in the communities that were destroyed.

The insurance industry's response to the three ugly sisters (Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma) is something we can all be proud of. Through the efforts of our members, IASA is pleased to be a part of this restoration and recovery process. It is responses such as this that can hopefully restore the American public's faith in the insurance industry. It is important that people know that ours is an industry that is built on more than just promises. I am proud to be a member of the insurance industry!

In a final note, I would like to recognize the effect that the recent hurricanes have had on all of us. The victims of these Hurricanes are not only our policyholders but our competitors, our compatriots, our employees and our families. Given a slight change in locale, their stories could be our stories and their tragedies could be our tragedies. The best wishes and prayers of everyone at IASA are with everyone affected by these terrible events as we head into this holiday season. May the holidays bring healing, peace and restoration.