WASHINGTON -- E. Edwin Eck, dean of the University of Montana law school, pledged Thursday to work toward an understandable tax system and a responsive agency if confirmed as a member of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board.

"I desire to undertake public service at a national level and I believe my experience will contribute to the work of the oversight board and the Internal Revenue Service's administration of our country's tax laws and regulations," he testified at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his nomination. The board is an independent body responsible for overseeing all aspects of IRS strategy and operations. It has nine members, including the Treasury secretary, the IRS commissioner and seven non-partisan appointees who serve five-year terms.

Eck joined the law school in 1984 after serving as a judicial clerk, an assistant U.S. attorney for Montana and several years in private practice.

Dean since 1995, Eck said the school developed two strategic plans and 13 annual balanced budgets during his tenure and greatly expanded its information technology services.

As the only law school in the state, it also has responsibilities to the state judiciary, other state officers, attorneys and "most importantly the public that are served by our graduates," he said.

Eck has taught courses on trusts, estate planning and federal estate and gift taxation. Most of his clients in private practice were small-business people, including farmers and ranchers, he said.

"They all desire a system of taxation which is understandable, where all of our citizens pay what is owed under the code," he said. "They want access to Web sites, pamphlets and Internal Revenue Service employees who will help them report their taxes as required by law."

Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., recommended Eck for the position and President Bush nominated him. The committee and the full Senate will have to approve his appointment.

"Over the last 30 years, Ed Eck has worked the tax laws from all sides and his vast array of experience will serve him well as he takes on a new role," Baucus said.

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the top-ranking Republican on the panel, agreed.

"Mr. Eck's experience in private practice and as a law professor will be a great help in assisting the IRS in implementing our tax laws while respecting the taxpayers," he said.

Eck was born and raised in Lewistown, graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., and earned a law degree from the University of Montana and a Master of Laws in taxation from Georgetown University.