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FinanceTerm Sheet

Meet Warren Buffett’s secretary

By
Shelley DuBois
Shelley DuBois
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By
Shelley DuBois
Shelley DuBois
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January 24, 2012, 8:39 PM ET

FORTUNE — The White House has invited Debbie Bosanek — pictured here with all of Warren Buffett’s home office staff, farthest woman on the right — to sit in First Lady Michelle Obama’s box during the State of the Union Address Tuesday night. For almost 20 years, Bosanek has worked as Buffett’s secretary, managing, among other things, press requests for the Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA) CEO. Buffett mentioned in his annual letter to shareholders last year that he paid a lower percentage on his taxable income than anyone in his office. President Obama referenced the letter this September when he announced what he calls the “Buffett Rule,” a proposal that people who earn over $1 million per year should pay a higher percentage of their federal income in taxes than they do now. “Warren Buffett’s secretary shouldn’t pay a higher tax rate than Warren Buffett,” Obama said. It’s a point he’ll probably bring up during the State of the Union speech, given Bosanek’s seat in the hot box. — Shelley DuBois

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