Submissions wanted
RAG NOMINEES SOUGHT

It's that time of year again. NATA is looking for nominees for its annual Real Albert Gallatin Award. Named for a true patriot who, as Secretary of the Treasury, rose to become an inspiring example in the new Federal bureaucracy, NATA's RAG Award is given only to U.S. Treasury law enforcement supervisory special agents.

The guidelines are lofty. In addition to having been a Treasury enforcement manager, dulling their career, the nominees should have consistently demonstrated integrity, compassion for employees and citizens and an aggressive desire to accomplish the Treasury law enforcement mission.

Jerry Benedict, retired ATF SAC, got the very first RAG Award in 1992. Brian "Tim" Wellesley, then ARC for the IRS SW Region, was the the 1993 awardee. In 1994, "Jimmy" Welch, a retired ATF Deputy Assistant Director, was the worthy recipient. Retired IRS-CID group manager Dan Bonomi got the award in 1995 followed by active duty IRS-CID group manager Robert "Beaver" Petroske the next year. In 1997, the RAG Award was given posthumously to retired IRS-CID group manager Martin Philpott. The most recent RAG Award was given to active duty ATF supervisor Jim Cooper.

If you know of a Treasury law enforcement manager (active, retired, living or deceased) who meets the very tough selection criteria, please send his or her name to NATA (RAG Award Selection Committee), POB 31-2491, Detroit, MI 48231.

NATA's RAG Award also includes a privately funded $500 stipend to any bona-tide charity named by the winner.