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From: Stuart Seidel
Category: Friends
Date: 23 Aug 2005
Time: 10:05:29 -0500
Remote Name: 65.89.178.74
I knew Bonni from the very beginning. I was the legal advisor to the original sky marshal program and then the Assistant Chief Counsel for Enforcement when Bonni was at HQ, and Regional Counsel (SE region) when she was SAC, TAMPA. I worked closely with her and admired her "out of the box" thinking. Needless to say, she always spoke her mind and was not afraid to tell a new AUSA that he or she was doing something wrong. On occasion, she put me on the phone to cite a US Supreme Court case and explain why Customs didn't have to follow the same rules as non-border agencies. We kept in touch for 30+ years and sat at the Commissioner's staff meetings together when she and I were both Assistant Commissioners. I was honored to attend her 60th birthday party. Before the memorial service, I went through my collection of Customs memorabilia and found an old photo taken in the mid 70's when Bonni "modeled" a new Customs uniform. I had it enlarged and gave it to her family. It was one they did not have and because it showed Bonni with flowing blonde hair, I am sure that it will bring back memories whenever they view it. She was a friend and colleague and I will truly miss her and her unique style.