VITAL SPEECHES of the day 2013 EDITION THESE VITAL SPEECHES THE BEST OF THE 2013 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS

GRAND WINNER 062 “Treat Time as a River” by Aaron Hoover 002 “Lord, Please Let Me Provide for My Family: A Wounded Veteran’s Story” by Sarah Gray 064 “Art as an Ambassador” by Aaron Hoover 065 “Remembering Melosina Harm” by Lani Jordan 068 CATEGORY WINNERS: “2012 Leadership Breakfast: Be the Difference” by Kim Clarke 006 “Great Together—By the Numbers” by Lani Jordan 009 “Dr. Carmel Meeting Farewell” by Anna Puccinelli HONORABLE MENTION 012 “Choice and Image in the Oil and Gas Industry” by Bob Tippee “The Energy Challenge” by John Barnes

016 “How Toddlers Will Save the World” by Sylvia Link “Transforming the Landscape: Toward a National Energy Policy for the 21st Century” by Gordon C. Morse 020 “Greece Will Overcome” by Luke Boggs 022 “A Safer, Stronger BP: Our Quest to Earn Back America’s Trust” “What Newspapers and Higher Education Can Learn from by John Barnes One Another” by Danny Woodward “What Keeps Me Awake at Night” by Michael Brady 024 “Message, Messenger, Audience” by Daniel Rose “Rauch Foundation” by Duarte, Inc. 026 “As America Looks Ahead” by Daniel Rose “Inclusion Is Good for Business” by Paul Begley 032 “Rethinking the American Dream: Post-Secondary Education in the U.S.” by Patricia Thull “Novus Ordo Seclorum–A New Order for the Ages: The Role of Minority-Serving Institutions” by Boe Workman 035 “The Auto Industry: Architects of the Future” by Lora Jones “Inspiring to Win: A Leadership Lesson from a Corporate 038 “Together to a Healthier Future” by Luke Boggs Speechwriter” by Sean Gresh 041 “Female Skills Make the Difference in Two Thousand and “Life Reimagined” by Boe Workman Twelve” by Johan Kroes “A Path Forward for American Cars” by Nate Osburn 045 “Make It in America” by Nate Osburn “Message, Messenger, Audience” by Daniel Rose 047 “The Natural Gas Revolution: A Secure, Abundant force for Good” by Brian S. Akre “Convocation Keynote” by Paul Nuti “The Power of One” by Kim Clarke 050 “The Soul of a Pediatrician” by Robert W. Block, MD, and Crystal A. Milazzo “George Washington Carver One Man, One Life, Infinite Influence” by Patrick Blair 054 “Leading from the Center” by Marie Lerch “Trained to Serve” by Karen Wilson 057 “Oak Hills Church” by Duarte, Inc. “Juniata Commencement Speech” by Anna Puccinelli 060 “Getting to the Future Faster” by Hal Gordon “How PechaKucha Changed My Life” by Eddie Selover 002 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS GRAND AWARD WINNER “Lord, Please Let Me Provide for My Family: A Wounded Veteran’s Story”

Writer: Sarah Gray Delivered at: NISH Grassroots Event, Speaker: Neil Colomac Washington, D.C., June 4, 2012

’m Neil Colomac. And I’m a wounded All of a sudden, and I was knocked unconscious. Iveteran there was an explosion about 15 feet I was hanging out of the top of the from Operation Enduring Freedom. behind our Humvee. vehicle I’m here to talk to you about how my I could feel the shockwave through my until my Lieutenant pulled me injuries entire body. back in. made it hard for me to get a job. Since my head was exposed, The Humvee was so badly damaged But with the help of a special I got hit in the face with shrapnel and that it lost power and would not start. regulation, fractured a joint in my jaw. We were in total darkness, I was able to get back into the work We found a safe place to pull over wondering if this was the end for us. force. and stopped the convoy to assess the Fortunately, the driver was able to get My hope is that by sharing my story damage. it started again. today, I held my jaw with one hand So our Humvee limped its way out of I can help other veterans and other while I filled in the incident report the danger zone people with disabilities. with the other. at about five miles an hour. I was deployed to Afghanistan We returned safely to base and I went We used a chain to connect to another with the 864th Engineer Battalion of to the aid station. Humvee from the convoy the U.S. Army in 2006. I received stitches and antibiotics and and got towed safely back to base. It was around September second, went back to my unit. We were all injured but we survived. 2007 About three weeks later, on Septem- I thought we were all going to be OK. when my unit was in the Paktika ber 21, we had another incident. We Just another close call. region of Afghanistan. were on a mission to retrieve supplies What happened next changed This is a mountainous area known for from another base. everything. periodic attacks We had to travel through territory I got a headache from the blast. Aside on Coalition soldiers and bases. that had not been declared safe by a from that, I thought I was fine. A previous convoy had mistakenly Route Clearance Patrol However, the doctors were concerned. dropped a conex, for some time. They said that two head injuries in which is a metal container, with sensi- We didn’t normally do this. three weeks tive equipment inside. As we drove to the area, could cause serious damage. Our mission was to provide security I got that same feeling that something So they told me I had to be medivaced for the unit dispatched to recover it. wasn’t right. to Bagram Hospital. We were in a Humvee and there were It was a small city with a fair amount I felt ridiculous going to the hospital five of us. of buildings, for a headache. My job was turret gunner, so I was like but no locals showed up to greet us… I wasn’t bleeding. I had my arms a prairie dog, not even to throw rocks at us. and legs. sticking my head out of the top There were bicycles, parked vehicles, I only went because it was a direct with my 50 Caliber machine gun and trash that normally accumulates order. pointed out. in an active market place. I got to the hospital and was waiting in I was looking around for any signs of But no people. I relayed my observa- a tent for my appointment. danger. tions to the convoy commander. He While I was waiting, We were returning to base after anoth- ordered us to get out of the city as quickly I had a strange coppery taste in my er truck had picked up the conex as possible. mouth that I never had before. when I noticed that there was some- We drove over a bump in the road. I stepped out of the tent to get a bottle thing not right about this valley. We landed on an IED, and it ex- of water. The truck in front of us was kicking ploded. And then it happened. I had a grand up a lot of dust, My helmet and radio headset were mal seizure. so it was hard to see. blown off, It felt like one minute I was outside

VSOTD.COM 003 drinking a bottle of water, Some of them cause no symptoms same homecoming you see on TV. And the next minute, I was laying in at all, Crying spouses. Children jumping the dirt. and some can paralyze or kill you. into their parent’s arms. My water bottle was crushed in my Mine is the size of a grain of rice Red, white and blue balloons. hand. and it causes seizures. American flags waving. I had a lump on my forehead. And I Also like brain tumors, some cysts That would be dangerous around all had wet my pants. are treatable by surgery, the medical equipment. I was wondering if someone sucker some are not. We were greeted by: an Army chap- punched me. They would have to open my skull lain, a full medical staff, Two soldiers were standing over me. to take it out. and a line of ambulances waiting on They told me I had a seizure. Sometimes just getting to the part of the tarmac. They seemed kind of freaked out the brain where the cyst is Each one of us was taken directly to and they ran off. can cause more damage than leav- Madigan Army Hospital. I wasn’t sure if I should believe ing it there. The doctors did a full assessment of them. The doctor told me that, on a cel- my injuries. I was actually wondering if one of lular level, the brain is like jello. In addition to the brain damage, them hit me and knocked me down. If you jiggle it a little bit, it’s the which they call TBI for traumatic I was in a daze. So I saw the doctor. same. brain injury, And he told me that these seizures But if you do something to really I have a shoulder injury requiring can be caused by traumatic brain disturb it, surgery, injuries. like smash it against a wall, or set off and a compressed disc in my lower The doctor recommended I go to an explosion next to it, back. Landstuhl hospital in the cells will be damaged on a mi- As a result of the evaluation, I was Germany for more tests. croscopic level. reassigned to a new unit— At Landstuhl they did an MRI. You might not be able to see the the WTU or Warrior in Transition The MRI showed a sac of spinal damage right away, Unit. fluid in my brain but the damage is there. I was shocked. I didn’t think I would where it should not be. It’s called an And in time, cell by cell, be reassigned. arachnoid cyst. you will be able to see that it’s not the I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. These can be caused by trauma to same as it was before. I asked, “So as soon as I get better, the brain. So I was sent to America to recuper- will I return to my guys in the 585th To simplify it ... when you bump ate. of the 684th?” your arm, I was expecting to heal and then They said, “No it’s not guaranteed. you break blood vessels that make a come back to Afghanistan. Your next assignment will be based bruise under the skin. I didn’t want to leave my unit, the on Army needs.” The bruise heals and the blood gets 585th. That’s when I thought, “Maybe this absorbed back into your system. I knew that my unit was short is real.” With an arachnoid cyst, staffed. They really did need me. As far as my health was concerned, a trauma pushes a bubble of fluid I felt a personal responsibility for the my injuries didn’t get any better but into your brain that makes a cyst. And operation didn’t get any worse either. because the brain is enclosed so tightly and a bond with the other soldiers. I had seizures about once a month. in the skull, I just wanted to heal as fast as I could I was placed on multiple seizure the bubble can get trapped in there. and get back there to help. medications It’s vacuum sealed in. On October 2, 2007, I came home as we tried to figure out the best one. And it puts pressure on things on a plane After about seven or eight months of that should not have pressure on with about 50 other wounded vets. doctor appointments, them. Some had head wounds bundled up I heard the four words that broke my In some ways it can affect your brain in gauze. heart like a tumor. Some were missing arms or legs. and changed my life forever. For example, Some were in cots hooked up to Those words are: Not. Fit. For. Duty. an arachnoid cyst can have different respirators. My case manager warned me this symptoms for different people. And some were not even conscious. might happen It depends on the size of the cyst We touched down at McChord Air so it wasn’t completely unexpected. and what part of the brain it’s Force Base in Tacoma. But it was still hard to hear. touching. The medical flights don’t get the I had such a good record as a soldier.

CICERO 2013 004 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS

I had excellent marksmanship skills. years– job or a job with the prison system. I had a history of taking on extra which will be December 2013—to I probably sent out 200 resumes. responsibilities and getting promoted. see if I can re-join the Army. I don’t know if I wasn’t qualified, I had won the Van Autreve Award, During this time, I keep my military or if I am just a bad resume writer. -- Engineer Solider of the Year. benefits like health coverage, But I didn’t get any calls or inter- It might seem foolish, but I hoped but my salary is decreased by about views for about five months. they might see my record 45 percent. My wife and I were really worried. and let some of my injuries slide by My wife had our first son while I We cut down on all our expenses. and let me go back. was deployed, We would only buy things that were I still felt that I had tons of abilities. and we were expecting another a necessity. I could still patch someone up. baby, so I had a family to support. And even then we didn’t always I can still carry a solider away from I had to find a civilian job to have the money. danger ... supplement my income. We started using a credit card to I might hurt my back more- but in It was July, and I had to have a job pay for basic essentials. my heart, I felt I could still do it. lined up for January. We racked up thousands of dollars On the other hand, I understood The economy wasn’t in the best in debt. why they classified me that way. shape, We were excited about having a You can’t hold a gun if you have but I thought I would be able to new baby but also terrified. seizures. find something by then. I used to pray to God every night, You can’t drive a Humvee if you All I needed was to get one job. “Lord, please let me provide for my have seizures. But I found out it wasn’t that easy. family.” You can’t protect your fellow sol- I had a few years of experience in I started to panic and I sent re- diers. construction. sumes everywhere. In fact, you are a danger to them. But because of my seizure disorder, I applied to work at fast food res- You are: not fit for duty. I couldn’t use a chain saw or power taurants and retail stores. So,emotionally, I wasn’t done being tools. I even applied to wait tables in in the Army. I can’t walk on roofs, on scaffolding, restaurants. But the writing was on the wall…it or on any high buildings. Out of the 200 resumes I sent out, was done with me. So construction jobs were out. I got exactly 2 phone calls back. So, like it or not, I had to change I had experience as a vocational One was a rejection for a manage- my focus. nurse, ment position at McDonalds. I started planning a transition to but to get licensed in a new state, But even a rejection call was better civilian life. I would need to spend at least a than nothing. The WTU is an assignment for year in training. And the other was to set up an soldiers We needed income immediately. So interview at a Sears retail store, who are recovering and trying to that was out for now. as a salesperson in the tools depart- figure out On top of this, in the state of ment. if they will be leaving the military Washington, I went to the interview at a Sears or going back to active duty. anyone with a seizure disorder is store in Lacey, Washington. Between doctor appointments and not allowed to drive a car The interview went well and they physical therapy, until they are 6 months seizure-free. offered me the job on the spot. I worked on my resume and at- I have never had this. I remember I got in the car to go tended classes The longest I have ever gone with- home, on things like interviewing skills out a seizure is one month. and I was so happy I cried. and computer software. To this day, I am not allowed to I breathed a sigh of relief and I was told that as of December drive a car. thought, “Thank you, God.” 2008, So I needed to find a job that I The pay was pretty low. I was being placed on the TDRL, could get to without driving. It was below minimum wage, but or Temporary Disability Retire- I had some strengths on my side, with a commission. ment List. though. Even if I were the top salesman This means that the Army wants to I had a good work history. there, wait As a noncommissioned officer, My entire paycheck for the month to see if your injuries gets better or I had some skills and experience in would not cover our mortgage. not. administration and leadership. Not to mention food or electricity I will get an evaluation in five I set my sights on another federal or diapers.

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But at least I had something com- to Fort Meade, I didn’t like feeling that way. ing in just about 30 miles from here. And I don’t want anyone else to feel while I looked for a better paying I am now the Safety, Quality and that way. job. Environmental Officer. Another thing we have in common I started a few days later. I am responsible for making sure all is The Abilityone Program. What happened next is something I the safety equipment This Program helped all of us get think was meant to be. at Fort Meade is fully stocked and jobs. Someone came in to Sears looking up to date. I don’t know about you, but my job for a combination kit I develop, implement and monitor makes me feel productive. for a drill driver to work on his roof. quality control programs It makes me feel useful. When I was processing his order, and conduct inspections. It makes me feel confident and also he gave me his work email address, My family has a three bedroom proud. which ended with skookum.org. home next to base, so I can walk to We could just complain about how I asked him, “Is that the same work. hard it was to get a job. Skookum We just had a new baby in April— How difficult it is to have a disabil- that operates the central issue facil- another boy. ity. ity at Fort Lewis?” My wife is a stay-at-home mom to How unfair life can be. He said yes. our three sons. But instead, we are doing some- I told him that I recently retired I have paid off all of our credit thing about it. from the military card debt, and I can pay all of our We have joined together to be part and turned my equipment in to his bills. of an important movement. company. We take advantage of living in a I understand that here are 29 self- He explained to me that Skookum new place. advocates here today. hired people with disabilities. We go sightseeing in Washington Every person’s contribution is im- I told him a little bit about my D.C portant this week. injuries. And visit family on the East Coast. And all of our stories are valuable. That’s when he gave me his busi- My life did a 360 degree turn after Because when we bring awareness ness card and said I got a job with Skookum. to our struggles, “We have some job openings, and I I don’t just think about surviving we make it easier for the next per- think we can help you.” the here and now anymore. son who comes along. He asked me to come in for an I plan for the future. I can relax This week is not about us. interview the next day. again and enjoy life with my family. We already have our jobs. My wife and I said a prayer that We are even helping out a family We overcame that obstacle. night. member It’s about the future now. I interviewed with Skookum, and I who is living in our house now. Does anyone here have a child with got a new job on the spot It’s a great feeling to be able to help a disability? as a Supply Clerk. someone else. How about a family member, or a My responsibilities were to process And that brings me to the reason friend with a disability? and issue parts received why were are all here today. We are here this week to help for the repair of military vehicles. We are here to plan for the future. them, and every other person in I recieved OSHA training and And as a group, have a lot in com- America who has a disability and learned some new job skills. mon. needs a job. It was safe for me work there if I Everyone here, including me, We are going to meet with our con- had a seizure. has overcome the obstacle of hav- gressmen and congresswomen, So far I have not had a seizure at ing a disability and getting a job. look them in the eye, and tell them work but I have come close. And while all of our stories are that there is a program When I feel one about to come on I different, that needs their support. take medicine, in some ways they are all the same. And they might not want to give us eat some crackers and follow my We have all had our share of dif- their support right away. doctor’s instructions. ficult times. That is our next obstacle. I got some more good news in When it came to getting a job, And if there is a group of people 2011. our struggles caused us to feel who can overcome obstacles, I applied for a promotion at Fort frustrated. I know it’s us. Meade, Maryland, and I got it. Hopeless. Depressed. Even embar- Good luck this week. Skookum paid to move my family rassed. Thank you.

CICERO 2013 006 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS

WINNER: AGRICULTURE CATEGORY “Greater Together—By the Numbers”

Writer: Lani Jordan Delivered at: 2012 CHS Annual Meeting, Speaker: Carl Casale, President and CEO, CHS Inc. Minneapolis, Minn., Dec. 6, 2012

ood afternoon. election. In short, he was able to cut see and touch the coke we had shipped in GThose of you who’ve gotten to through the clutter and use the numbers from the Laurel, Montana, refinery. know me since I joined CHS nearly two to tell the story. This is among several refining years ago have probably discovered my I certainly would not pretend to be a investments underway, including a $75 not-so deep, dark secret. Nate Silver, so I’ll issue the disclaimer now. million project at Laurel known as a mild I like numbers—a lot. But in the next few minutes, I will be toss- hydrocracker which will help us squeeze So it probably doesn’t surprise you ing out a lot of numbers to help tell the additional gallons of diesel out of every that I really like this year’s annual meet- story of the world in which we operate, gallon of crude oil refined there. ing theme, with its mathematical “greater of how CHS succeeded on your behalf 79.2 percent. That’s our new owner- than” symbol. But my love for numbers in 2012 and of how we’re executing our ship percentage—up from 74.5 percent a is not because my two favorite colors are strategic direction to support your growth. year ago—in the McPherson refinery as black and white. It’s because numbers And my prediction is—even with the of September 1st. Last year at this meet- can tell stories that go far beyond beauti- certain bumps along the way—that we ing, we shared our plan to become the fully balanced financial statements. And have a bright and exciting future ahead sole owners of this refinery. That’s now even though I served as a chief financial in agriculture and for your cooperative underway and will be complete in early officer at one point in my career, I’m no system. And, most important, I predict fiscal 2015. accountant. that you can be a confident owner of a And throughout the last two years We each have a unique way of un- company committed to being a relevant we’ve been telling you about a variety of derstanding the world. Some see things component in your value equation. investments—more than $50 million in in pictures. For others, it’s what we read (Pause) terminal improvements, loading racks, or hear that help us understand. I love So let’s look at the numbers, starting rail cars and storage—to strengthen our numbers because of their great ability with your energy operations. fuel distribution in the northern tier of to tell stories—not only of what has 555. 79.2 percent. 200 million. our trade area. Most of these investments happened, but of what may lie ahead You’re probably wondering what these are now operational, increasing the speed and of relationships between people, numbers mean. They aren’t some secret of access to our products in That region. places and events. In other words, why code. They represent investments, growth So why all of these investments? things happen. and continued success for your CHS en- There’s a dramatic transformation The presidential election is now a ergy businesses. And, they represent our going on in the energy sector and CHS month behind us. And behind the politi- commitment to growing this important sits in the middle of it—literally in terms cal rhetoric, pollsters and pundits, there’s part of your company. The end result: of geography. I’m not sure anyone would an interesting story, about a numbers guy Dependable supplies of quality energy have predicted this five years ago, but by the name of Nate Silver. A statisti- products that add value for our owners. an international energy research agency cian and self-proclaimed “geek,” he first $555 million. That’s the estimated in- reported last month that the U.S. is came to prominence a few years back by vestment being made at the McPherson, headed toward energy self sufficiency developing a system for forecasting the Kansas, refinery in a new coker to re- and may soon become the world’s largest performance and development of Major place one that has served us well for more oil producer. League Baseball players. than 50 years. That coker—and the one The energy boom in the Bakken re- But Silver hit his own career home built a few years back at Laurel, Mon- gion and surrounding areas—with North run with the recent election. Now a New tana—will maintain our ability to operate Dakota crude oil production expected to York Times blogger, he defied conven- these refineries efficiently and profitably hit a record 200 million barrels annually tional wisdom by analyzing pre-election by allowing us to process heavier grades for 2012—will combine, this report says, statistics and correctly predicting the of crude oil. This gives our refineries a to allow the U.S. to break even on oil and presidential winner of all 50 states and competitive advantage. I hope many of natural gas imports and exports by 2035. the District of Columbia, making him you stopped by the CHS Global Main This will certainly reshape the energy the most successful forecaster of the Street area yesterday and had a chance to picture in the decades ahead, particularly

VSOTD.COM 007 when you look at this chart depicting general and CHS in particular. There ments to help us grow globally, including global demand growth. Exploration in is an implicit social contract between interior grain origination in several the Bakken region has also dramatically the Chinese government and its people countries, investments in export facilities boosted diesel and gasoline consumption. that they are guaranteed both affordable and joint ventures in crop nutrients sup- We’ve also seen local food and jobs to pay for it. I’d be more ply and distribution. co-op marketshare growth through- nervous if we were selling high-end Our investment in our global grain out our trade territory. Our refining is consumer goods, but people have to eat origination platform extends to U.S. focused on the diesel our ag and other and, to maintain stability, China will geography, as well. Major investments customers demand, so you can certainly make sure that they do. are ahead for our Temco joint venture see what’s driving the many major invest- As a country, China is the fastest terminal at Kalama, Washington, our ments we’re making on your behalf. growing purchaser of soy and corn to pipeline to those Asia Pacific markets. The same holds true for other areas support its expanding animal protein And—with a shout out to a Kansas co-op of your energy business—we’re expand- industry—its soybean imports are CEO who challenged us to find a way to ing the CHS presence in propane and expected to hit a record 57 million tons move grain through the Texas Gulf—we alternative fuels with new distribution for 2012. And although not all of these established a through-put agreement in facilities. We’re planning investments in imports will come from the U.S., this is Houston. He’s kept up his end of the deal our top-rated lubricants business, and the equivalent of nearly 80 percent of by shipping 19 shuttles to CHS in the last we’re taking a global approach to our re- our 2012 soybean crop. 12 months. newable fuels marketing and distribution While some sectors of the Chinese All of this adds up to building a value- business. Even though there currently economy are slowing, I think food added cooperative presence in global are some challenges in this sector, I’m production will remain strong for the grain marketing. convinced there is a promising future for foreseeable future. We are also starting Before I move on, I want to take a renewable fuels and CHS will be part of to see signs that China will become a net moment to recognize some winners. it on your behalf. importer of corn, as well. Education is a priority throughout CHS. The sum of the parts: A commitment We also came back very confident To help this company succeed on your to serving our energy customers and to that our strategic efforts to expand our behalf, we need skilled and knowledge- adding value for you. global commodities footprint, through able employees. This year, our South (Pause) geographic presence and significant America team established CHS Agro Let’s try grain marketing. investments, are essential to keeping CHS University, modeled on a program we’ve 9 billion. 100 percent. 40 percent. 10. competitive in this space year around. had here in the U.S. for several years. Nine billion and 100 percent are Back to that number 10. In addition to class time, the 14 partici- numbers you’ve probably heard Ten years ago we opened our first pants worked in project groups, with before—they’re the projected world international office, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. the winning team of three earning an population in 2050 and accompany- It was a first for a U.S. cooperative and opportunity to attend this annual meet- ing percentage growth required by the one I know raised eyebrows among some ing. Please join me in congratulating world’s food supply. of you. A decade later, I think it’s clear and welcoming these bright young CHS 40 percent—that’s the portion of our CHS international presence—now South America employees. China’s population expected to be part expanded to include to grain origination (Lead applause) of the middle class by 2020—just seven and marketing offices in 18 countries— (Pause) years from now. It means 700 million has delivered tremendous value in a time Thank you. people—that’s twice the population of of rapid global change. In the last three Now let’s consider a few numbers for the United States—looking for a better years, we’ve seen in turn severe drought crop nutrients, the other important piece life and more meat in their diets. It takes in the Black Sea region, in Brazil and, this of our global commodities platform. several pounds of grain to produce a season, in the U.S. Our ability to man- 34. 1.4 billion. 700,000. 105. pound of meat, so this will create more age risk through a variety of origination It’s been 34 years—the late 1970s— opportunity for CHS to meet the needs options clearly kept CHS in the market since a new nitrogen fertilizer plant was of our customers in China. and allowed us to supply our customers built in the United States. Many said There’s talk these days of a weaken- in more than 60 countries around the nitrogen manufacturing had moved off- ing Chinese economy. The eight mem- world no matter what. By being able to shore forever. But this is the place where bers of the CHS senior leadership team source globally, we have the opportunity the booming U.S. energy industry and visited China this fall. And while we to be the first supplier our customers call. agriculture intersect. Domestic energy saw some signs of that, in the housing If we source from only one country, we exploration and production—especially construction sector, for example, we re- may not get a call. that in the Bakken region I mentioned turned home extremely optimistic about In the past two years, we’ve com- earlier—is bringing tremendous quanti- the opportunity ahead for agriculture in pleted or announced numerous invest- ties of low-cost natural gas into the

CICERO 2013 008 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS marketplace, making new ammonia countries—China, Israel and the making sure you can compete long-term production economically feasible for the U.S.—in which CHS operates soy foods in the global grain markets through in- first time in decades. This comes at a processing plants today. We took a big terior origination and export facilities in very opportune time, given the increas- step forward in 2012 as we acquired the U.S. and around the world. They’re ing global demand for both grain and an Israeli firm with two facilities in moving you further down the value- the crop nutrients needed to grow it. that country, one in China and one in added food chain. It’s always struck me as ironic that our Nebraska. Combined with our existing No question we’ve already done a nation is extremely concerned about U.S. processing and foods operations, lot—in fact, in the last two years we’ve energy independence, yet it’s rarely and a plant we acquired this past year made about three dozen major news mentioned that we import more than 50 in Iowa, we now produce a full range announcements on investments and percent of the nitrogen we count on to of soy foods and ingredients—ranging acquisitions. But we’re not finished! produce abundant and affordable crops from oils to flour to textured protein to In all, we’ve identified about 60 for our country and the world. increasingly popular isoflavones for the projects that could further build out We are continually working to health food sector. When we started this our CHS strategies. Certainly, we won’t strengthen our crop nutrients supply to process 18 months ago, CHS owned pursue all of these and new opportuni- you, our owners. This fall we announced three value-added soy processing plants. ties may arise. So rest assured, we have plans for a what will be about a $1.4 bil- Today your company owns eight. a very disciplined process for determin- lion nitrogen plant at Spiritwood, North Why are we expanding? In a word, ing whether an upgrade, expansion, Dakota, not only the largest project in opportunity. Through soy foods, we acquisition or other initiative will deliver our history, but the largest single invest- can add value to the soybeans you grow economic value. We do know two things ment in that state’s history. At the same while meeting demand for inexpensive for certain. One, we must continue to time, we announced our participation sources of protein in the U.S. and in invest in your future. And two, CHS in a Texas clean energy project which developing nations and also tapping into has the financial strength to make these will make us the exclusive marketer of the purchasing power of health con- investments on your behalf. the 700,000 tons of urea it will produce scious U.S. consumers through protein (Pause) annually. bars and soy-based drinks. Combined You’ve heard a lot of numbers As I mentioned earlier, we are in- with our ownership in Ventura Foods already. When we add them up, what do creasingly active participants in the glob- and our flour milling joint venture, we get? al crop nutrients sector—also sourcing CHS is adding value for you right to the (Pause) product from 20 countries and pairing consumers’ table. Not a number, but a word—rel- our grain origination activities in South (Pause) evance. America with crop nutrients imports. In his report this morning, CFO To me, relevance requires making On the home front, we’re investing in Dave Kastelic shared the numbers for a deliberate choice about your future. our import facilities, doubling railcar fiscal 2012—our record earnings and Whether it’s investing in growth, choos- capacity at Galveston, Texas, and in our revenues and, most important, the ing to stay the course or even deciding to domestic distribution consisting of 105 estimated $600 million CHS plans to exit a business. And it means, especially owned or leased terminals and, often in return to you in cash during fiscal 2013. if you want to grow, you must sync your relationships with member cooperatives I want to offer you one more ex- products and services to your customers’ and CHS-owned retail locations. tremely important number—$4 billion. needs and then make sure you’re mov- (Pause) That’s the combined total of what ing fast enough. In today’s environment, Let’s see how the numbers add up CHS has already invested, is committed I’m convinced we need to move twice as in our Processing and Food Ingredients to internally and is projected to spend fast as we used to. I’m sure you could all business where we’re adding value to the in the next few years on acquisitions, list examples of companies that didn’t crops our owners raise. expansions of existing businesses and change fast enough and eventually no 5.2, 3 and another 3. new projects to add value for our owners longer mattered. Five-point-two is actually $5.2 billion and customers. That figure covers the When it comes to the producers and which is the value of the soy foods sold period from fiscal 2011 through fiscal cooperatives who own us, we at CHS in the U.S. in 2011—a five-fold increase 2017. I do want to point out that it believe this means not only investing in in the last 15 years and still expanding. doesn’t include the full estimate for the the future, but making sure we provide The first of the pair of number Spiritwood nitrogen plant as others may options for doing business with us that “threes” represents the three million partner with us on this project. are relevant to you. tons of soy protein-based foods and These investments are strengthening And how many ways is that? I’d offer food ingredients CHS now produces your diesel supply. They’re enhancing this—3-to-the-nth power. annually. our efficient and dependable crop nutri- What do I mean? Today you have The other number three is the ents sourcing and distribution. They’re three basic choices. You can do busi-

VSOTD.COM 009 ness with CHS on a buy/sell basis, with investing in knowledge, people and com- ployees volunteered individually with whatever business areas you chose. You munities. This year, we can tell part of hundreds of schools, charities and can count on good products and services that story with three numbers. other organizations. And, they lever- and the opportunity to receive patron- One. 10,000. Times eight. aged their hours in teams—working age and earn equity. As cooperative leaders, you now in groups to help food banks, disaster Or as five cooperatives did in the have one great on-line resource to gain victims and, in one case, a whole last 15 months, you can chose to fully knowledge, share news, participate in town—really demonstrating the power align with CHS and combine local dynamic discussions and much more. of Greater Together. decision-making with the strength of We’ve created the CHS Center for (Pause) CHS system resources through Country Cooperative Growth as an interactive, In the last 20 minutes, I’ve tossed Operations. one-stop repository of information to out nearly 50 different numbers—bush- Or you can make the third choice— help directors, managers and CEOs els, dollar figures, percentages, people that nth degree, by which I mean that succeed in a rapidly changing landscape. and more. the possibilities for aligning more closely For example, right now you can get four So how does it all add up? What are limitless. In recent years, we’ve perspectives on equity management story does it tell? established numerous joint ventures and be part of the conversation among To me, it’s a story of optimism—of and other working arrangements with cooperative thought leaders. what people with a common vision and member co-ops ranging from grain 10,000. That’s the number of CHS the drive to achieve it can accomplish. shuttle loaders to energy delivery employees serving you today from It’s a story of optimism about the value systems to crop nutrients storage. Long more than 500 locations in the U.S. we can deliver together for you, our term, we’re committed to working with and around the world. They are an in- owners, and for our customers around you creatively and collaboratively to find valuable part of that Greater Together the world. solutions that meet your needs and this equation not only for our owners and And, it’s a story that defies common system’s needs. customers, but for the communities mathematical rules. Because when it Whatever your choice for your future, in which we operate. In 2012, we comes to what we can achieve together, the equation must add up to relevance launched our CHS Day of Service one plus one always equals more than for you. program, providing eight paid hours two. It equals our commitment to (Pause) of time off for volunteer service to our you—to always find ways to be Greater Being Greater Together, and being full-time employees. The response our Together. relevant for the long haul, also requires first year out was amazing. Our em- Thank you.

WINNER: ASSOCIATIONS CATEGORY “Dr. Carmel Meeting Farewell”

Writer: Anna Puccinelli Delivered to: American Medical Association, Speaker: Peter W. Carmel, MD 2012 Annual Meeting, Chicago, Ill., June 16, 2012

r. Speaker, Members of the something to teach us. Lessons you can- child. Tell them everything is gonna be MBoard, delegates, international not learn from any book. okay. They’ll be fine. Don’t even men- guests, colleagues, friends. It is an honor The majority of my patients, of tion an operation. to address this House for the last time as course, are kids. And one of the first Unfortunately, that approach inevita- your president. things I learned as a pediatric neurosur- bly backfires. Because kids know when I thought long and hard about what geon, is that kids can’t stand being lied things are being kept from them. And it I would say today. About what the to. Even if the truth is ugly, they want to makes them insecure. AMA has accomplished over the past know what’s going on. So I always sit the parents down year, and the challenges ahead. And Unfortunately, most children who and advise them not to hide the truth. I realized that the answer lay no further come into my office are struggling with I remind them that children are smart, than my office. The answer lay with my a life-threatening condition—a tumor, and they pick up on every single thing patients. malignant disease, or other neurological we say. I tell them the most important One of the great gifts of our profes- malady. And the first instinct of a parent thing they can do to prepare a child for sion is that our patients always have in these circumstances is to protect their a dangerous surgery, is establish trust.

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The amazing thing—the truly what happens to you that matters, but about the headaches it would cause— remarkable thing—is that when kids how you react to it.” the disruption to workflow and the learn the truth, they respond with more Colleagues, in the past year one exorbitant costs. In response, we sent courage and grace than most adults thing that has really impressed me— letters to both the House and Senate I know. Understanding the challenge how physicians have reacted to the highlighting the financial and admin- before them, they do not shy away from challenges before them. Like the brave istrative burdens. And again, miracu- it. They tend to face it head on, and patients who come into my office, lously—the government listened! CMS fight. While victory is far from certain, America’s physicians have risen to the released a proposed rule that not only they believe. And thank God, most occasion. Rather than close your eyes, postpones ICD-10 implementation often, they win. pretending that changes aren’t com- until November 2014, but also includes There’s a lesson in that for each of ing to health care, you’ve faced them regulatory changes that save physicians us. For all of us. head on. You’ve sounded your voice valuable time and money. With exponential change taking on Capitol Hill, in state legislatures, Regarding the AMA’s advocacy on place in the health care system it’s and in courtrooms across the nation. this issue, one DC trade publication easy for physicians to feel threatened. America’s physicians have stood tall said, “Among healthcare industry bod- On guard. Even under attack. With and fought. And together, we’ve scored ies that lobby, the American Medical all the talk of delivery models, how some incredible victories. Association has few equals. Look no will small physician practices fit in? As I look back, one triumph stands further than the new ICD-10 compli- With 32 million newly insured patients out above the rest—the progress the ance date for evidence ...” poised to enter the system, how will we AMA has made in shaping new pay- The AMA’s clout in Washington— care for them? How can we afford the ment and delivery models. When I ad- our ability to help shape policy—has new health information technology? dressed you last November, I described been higher this year than at any point How can we comply with new quality how AMA advocacy had radically in my lifetime. programs? improved the rules for Accountable But our victories don’t stop there. These are some of the questions I’ve Care Organizations. How we eased the By now, many of you have received faced and fielded as I’ve criss-crossed restrictions, reduced the risk involved, your payout from the AMA’s $200 mil- the nation on behalf of our AMA. and even convinced CMS to provide lion settlement against UnitedHealth Questions that give rise to a general $170 million to help physicians with Group. A settlement that sends a strong sense of anxiety. And the only thing start-up costs. message to insurers: “You can’t pull worse than that anxiety, is the fear Since then, these policy improve- the wool over our eyes. You can’t take many physicians have—the fear they’re ments have come to life. In April, advantage of America’s patients and being lied to. CMS released a list of 27 newly physicians.” If Congress really wants to improve approved shared savings ACOs. And We’ve also scored numerous regula- the health care system, why hasn’t amazingly, physicians lead the major- tory wins—from eliminating unrealistic it eliminated SGR? Why hasn’t it ity of them. Physicians, not hospitals. lab test order requirements, to protect- instituted meaningful medical liability Even more amazing, five of these phy- ing you from unreasonable audits. reform? And how can Congress hope sician-led ACOs are taking advantage They’re the rules you don’t have time to increase quality and accessibility, of the advance funding advocated for to monitor, full of acronyms and fine without supporting the very individuals by the AMA. print ... a proposal to extend EMTALA who provide it? At this time last year, ACOs ap- to the inpatient setting, for example. Believe me, I have several answers to peared all but dead in the water for Rest assured that the AMA has been these questions. Involving some choice most physicians. Today, thanks to all fighting—and winning—on your words. But back when I was elected of you, ACOs have become a viable behalf. So that you can spend less time president, my wife Jacqueline gave me option for many physicians across the shuffling papers, and more time caring two rules. She said, “You can’t cuss, country. And this victory has the tone for patients. and you can’t hit anyone.” for the conversation going forward ... The AMA has also scored important And I thought, “Is this really a job the conversation on medical homes, victories in state legislatures across the worth having?” bundled payments, and other models. nation—65 this year alone. We helped Almost two years later, I can proudly Thanks to your efforts, “physician-led” Mississippi, Connecticut, Tennessee, say I never broke the second rule. And has become the guiding principle in and Utah pass Truth in Advertising I didn’t break the cussing one either ... both the public and private sectors. legislation ... ensuring that patients at least not in public. So I don’t intend That’s advocacy in action. That’s phy- understand the difference between to now. sicians making a difference. optometrists and ophthalmologists, Instead, I’ll rely on the words of the Another recent victory is the delay psychologists and psychiatrists, and Greek philosopher Epictetus: “It’s not of ICD-10. The AMA heard your fears chiropractors and orthopedic doctors.

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In the area of medical liability 64 percent of claims against physicians Congress. The list goes on. . . reform, we helped North Carolina, are dismissed. Today, the AMA is the indisputable Oklahoma and Tennessee achieve caps A system that protects gradu- voice of America’s physicians. on non-economic damages. And in ate medical education, so our next Five years ago, we used that voice to multiple states—Kentucky, Missouri, generation of physicians can complete achieve one of the high-water marks in and Louisiana to name a few—the their training. AMA history. We launched a campaign AMA launched a coordinated attack A system that supports academic for the uninsured—the patient speaking to prevent the Federal Trade Commis- medical centers, the safety net where into the stethoscope. We highlighted sion from intervening in state licensure those most in need of care—and least the disparities of America’s health issues. To ensure that physicians—not able to afford it—turn for help. care system, and helped accelerate the lawyers and bureaucrats—regulate the A system that can sustain the 72 nationwide demand for reform. profession of medicine. million baby boomers just entering The bottom line is that today, be- In these cases, and many others, the Medicare. cause of a conversation that happened AMA fought for physician’s rights. And And a system where the federal right here at the House of Delegates . . . the AMA won. government acknowledges that annual • 2.5 million young adults under the Of course, not every worthwhile ef- physician pay increases of less than one age of 26 have gained health insurance fort results in clear victory. Some of our quarter…of one percent…year after through their parents. most important work—such as elimi- year ... for more than a decade ... is • More than 100 million Americans nating SGR—is ongoing. Which brings neither sustainable, nor growing! no longer have to worry about lifetime me to a larger question: where do we We need a system where partisan caps on disease coverage. go from here? politics no longer get in the way of • 54 million Americans have already As you know, there’s a debate taking doing what is right. Where insurers, benefitted from expanded coverage for place in the Supreme Court right now hospitals, politicians, and the full spec- wellness and prevention. that will have tremendous implications trum of health care professionals are all • And 5.1 million Medicare recipi- for health care in this country. Recently, working on the same side—the side of ents have received support during the I reminded the graduates of New the patient. prescription drug “donut hole.” Jersey Medical School that regard- Colleagues, I have a confession to All of this has already happened— less of what happens at the Supreme make. When I graduated from medical today—regardless of what the Su- Court—America’s health care system school in 1960, I did not join the AMA. preme Court decides. So I think you’ll is already experiencing historic change. My father, a lifelong AMA member, agree with me when I say, this ain’t my As it must. reprimanded me. He told me I had an daddy’s AMA! Let’s not forget that today, in 2012, obligation to support the profession. Today the AMA is literally front and more than 50 million Americans lack But at that time, it wasn’t clear to me center, shaping the future of health health insurance. That the United what the AMA stood for. care in this nation. As Dr. Madara States spends $2.5 trillion each year In fact, it wasn’t until 1974, when said, no other physician group has on health care, yet ranks low in many I heard the young and vigorous new the resources or opportunity of our critical health indices. That chronic CEO Jim Sammons talk about the AMA. No other physician group can conditions have reached epidemic lev- importance of protecting patients and have this kind of impact. And with the els—diabetes, heart disease, obesity and protecting the profession of medicine strategic plan Jim outlined, our impact stroke. And that caring for patients with that I decided to join the AMA. And will grow even greater in the years to these conditions consumes more than since then, the transformation I’ve come. We will tackle the big issues— 75 percent of health care dollars. witnessed has been incredible. the ones that matter most to America’s Continuing down the same path is In 1985, when I first served as a patients, and America’s physicians. neither financially tenable, nor ethi- delegate to the AMA, I vividly recall at- We will lead. We will fight. And I am cally tolerable. So where do we go from tending a luncheon for the specialty so- confident ... we will win. here? cieties. And all the specialties, together, Colleagues, a year ago I told you It must be toward a better, more ef- could fit around four tables—of eight. that my heroes—beginning with my fa- ficient, and more equitable system. Today, the AMA specialty section is ther—have always been doctors. Today, A system where care coordination is 116 specialties strong, with 201 delegates I want to draw your attention to one paramount. to this House. Today the AMA includes more hero. A mentee of mine, Karin A system where prevention and well- a Medical Student Section with 47,000 Muraszko. And I have Karin’s permis- ness are incentivized. members. A Resident Fellow Section sion to share her story with you. A system where medical liability no with 36,000 members. A Minority Af- Karin’s childhood was different than longer adds tens of billions of dollars to fairs Section. An International Medical most. She was born with spina bifida in health care costs annually, even when Graduate Section. A Women Physicians 1955, when the medical world under-

CICERO 2013 012 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS stood far less about her condition than spina bifida, one of Karin’s legs is 2 Today Dr. Karin Muraszko is the we do now. In fact, her parents were inches shorter than the other. And in Chair of Neurosurgery at the University told she wouldn’t live—that they should neurosurgery, where operations can of Michigan—the first, and only woman learn to accept it. take 12, 15, even 18 hours, it’s essential to chair a neurosurgical department in But her parents wouldn’t accept it. that physicians are physically, as well as the nation. Karin embodies our will to And neither would Karin. She was mentally strong. fight. She is an inspiration to her col- determined to fight. Over the years, While the challenges before Karin leagues, and a lifesaver to the nearly 400 Karin underwent countless surger- were great, her determination was even children she sees each year. ies. While most children were playing greater. I told her that she was going My fellow AMA members, as we push in the park, she spent 13 months in a to have to prove herself—even “over- forward to reform America’s health care body cast. She learned to walk—not prove” herself to achieve her goal. I system, there’s no question that it will be once—but three different times. knew she could. I knew she would. And hard. And as we look to the future, the Having spent so many days in of course ... she did. challenges are great. hospitals, Karin knew by the age of Karin shadowed me and the other But the opportunities are even greater. seven that she wanted to be a doctor. neurosurgeons, demonstrating her And if there’s one thing physicians have And by the time I met her at Columbia ability to meet the physical demands. in common—whether we’re neurosur- University Medical School, she was She received honors in all her clinical geons or pediatricians, Republicans or well on her way ... extremely bright and rotations and superior Board scores. By Democrats—it’s the courage and convic- tenacious. the time she graduated she was second tion to fight. But she soon faced a dilemma. in her medical school class, and she We were born to fight. We were During her third year, Karin decided became the first disabled person to enter trained to fight. We fight for the lives of she wanted to become a neurosurgeon. Columbia’s neurosurgical residency our patients every day. But three obstacles stood in her way. program. Thank you for giving me the oppor- First, she was only four feet nine inches Since then, Karin has never looked tunity to lead our charge this past year. tall, which would make reaching the back. When she couldn’t reach the It is an honor for which I am forever operating table a challenge. Second, operating table, she had a device con- grateful. And I look forward to con- she was a woman, and almost 95% of structed to raise her up.When she met tinuing the fight in the years ahead ... neurosurgeons are male. And third, with sexism or prejudice, she fought to standing right alongside you, my fellow she had a disability. As a result of her overcome them. physicians, my heroes.

WINNER: ENERGY CATEGORY “Choice and Image in the Oil and Gas Industry”

Writer: Bob Tippee, Editor, Oil & Gas Journal Delivered to: Houston Petroleum Club, Speaker: Bob Tippee Houston, Texas, Sept. 25, 2012

ere we are: just a little more than Choices, indeed. Yet those mistakes are all too fre- Ha month before an important na- I don’t know who will win. quent. And they’re frequent because the tional election. It’s an election that will I do know that, no matter who oil and gas industry’s image is so poor determine the direction America heads wins, the oil and gas industry will enter that politicians in most states gain favor in many important areas—not least of whatever battles it must fight in the next by punishing it. which is policy affecting energy. political cycle with a disadvantage. That won’t change until the indus- The choices are quite distinct. One With the American public, my favor- try’s image improves. I didn’t say unless candidate favors aggressive regulation ite industry has an image that would be the industry’s image improves. I said and intrusions into the energy market merciful to describe as abysmal. In most until it improves. by government in order to suppress places, the American public hates the oil The oil and gas industry’s image in the consumption of oil and gas and to and gas business. fact CAN improve. encourage the production and use of That has to change. Much is at stake I make that assertion confidently costlier alternatives. The other candidate in the politics of energy. America loses because I’ve lived through the transfor- would rely more on market forces and much when its political leaders make mation of an institution from scorn to less on the exercise of official authority. mistakes with oil and gas. adulation in the public mind.

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In the next few minutes I’ll describe Later, when I was on active duty, the of a television camera—in Thailand, that profound change and suggest a Air Force often issued orders not to wear probably—this focus of popular scorn, few lessons that the oil and gas industry uniforms in public except while travel- wearing his blue garrison cap the cocky might usefully draw from it. ing—and never to appear off-base in way pilots do, in a flight suit the color of Don’t worry. I won’t exhort the in- combat fatigues or flight suits. shadowed foliage. dustry to do more to educate the public. Worn in wrong places, military uni- The reporter asked a few dare-you- It has to try, of course. But the public forms in those days could incite trouble, to-answer questions about the unpopu- doesn’t really want to be educated about even violence. lar war and the pilot’s role in it. So this oil and gas. Now, please don’t mistake me for a guy, a major as I recall, looked at the And I won’t encourage everybody to military hero. I was no hero. camera and coolly said something I’ll hug the nearest environmentalist. The heroes were the men and never forget: I’m sure there are hug-worthy women who fought in that faraway “If you want us to stand down,” he environmentalists. I just don’t happen jungle and who died or who came home said, “just tell us.” to know any. Or maybe I’m just not the wounded or emotionally scarred to a That challenge put the image of the huggy type. nation that greeted them with indiffer- military, which I’m corresponding with All I’ll do here is suggest an approach ence—if not outright derision. antagonism toward the Vietnam War to this business of image-improvement I never went to Vietnam. Troops and comparing with the contemporary that differs from the standard strategy— were streaming out, not going in, when image of oil and gas, into very useful an approach based on reflection from I began active duty. I was just a weapons perspective. experience that’s personal yet part of control officer doing what I thought I Americans elect their military’s well-known history. needed to do, happy to begin my civil- commander-in-chief. *** ian career once I’d served my four-year Despite all the antiwar toxin that I’ll start by telling you about a pilot I commitment. infested popular discourse in the late saw on television many years ago—not Actually, in what I suppose is the clos- 1960s and early 1970s, Americans could a trial TV program but a person who est I ever came to heroism, I gave Uncle have elected an antiwar president. drives airplanes. Sam four extra days. They had the chance to do so when This was when I was in the Air How radically things have changed. Richard Nixon ran against Hubert Force during the waning years of the Now soldiers and officers wearing Humphrey for the presidency in 1968. Vietnam War. their uniforms in public receive thanks Humphrey wasn’t the shrillest antiwar In those days, unlike now, serving from strangers for their service. Democrat around at the time; he’d been in the armed forces was not a popular They deserve it. Military service vice-president in the administration of thing to do. nowadays is excruciating—and not only Lyndon Johnson and refused to repudi- In those days the United States mili- because of the frequency with which ate Johnson’s escalation of the war. Still, tary had a bad public image—much like men and women must confront the hor- for voters who despised the war and the the image the oil and gas industry suffers rors of combat. Deployments are long military, Humphrey was the clear prefer- from today. and extendable. Military families face ence over hawkish Richard Nixon. This pilot was the very embodi- extraordinary pressures—life-and-death Yet Nixon won, 301 electoral votes ment of that lowly status—the flight risk of the military member, uncertain to 191. commander of a B-52, a huge, droopy periods of separation, low pay. By the election of 1972, the choice aircraft that dropped bombs in devastat- They do deserve our thanks. was more clear-cut: Nixon versus an ing quantity from great altitude. I’m very pleased they’re receiving it. outspokenly antiwar senator from South I had entered his world, the Air I’m equally pleased that this reversal of Dakota, George McGovern. Force, through ROTC at the University the military’s public image has evoked Again, Nixon won, 520 electoral of Tulsa. gratitude for the real heroes of Vietnam. votes to 17. He received 18 million Unlike many colleges and universities That’s the transformation of image popular votes more than McGovern, the in those days, my alma mater was no I mentioned earlier. And it’s the psy- widest margin in history. hotbed of radicalism. chology of that change that I want to Americans might not have liked what Still, wearing a military uniform explore here. that B-52 pilot wore to work, how short and hairstyle on campus could pro- My memory of that B-52 pilot he kept his hair, and what he did for a voke insults. will help. living in Vietnam. But they could have I remember marching outside and I didn’t catch his name and wouldn’t stopped him from doing it by electing ignoring jeers from guys with long hair remember it now if I had. He appeared a commander-in-chief committed to in a dormitory overlooking the drill on a TV news program during my first promptly ending the war. They did not. area—ignoring the jeers but hearing year on active duty. Public image about the Vietnam War them nevertheless. He stood on a flight line in front and the military of the day conflicted

CICERO 2013 014 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS with public action on those subjects—at But that circumstance doesn’t differ image required a reassertion of choice least as expressed by votes in two impor- greatly from its counterpart today. The by way of an end to the draft. tant elections. incursion to dethrone Saddam Hussein By analogy, a reassertion of the Public image about anything in Iraq in 2003 was hugely unpopular— EXISTENCE of choice can help the has its roots in the shifting sands of as unpopular, I’d venture to say, as the oil and gas industry improve its im- popular opinion. Action has roots Vietnam War. age—and at least its ability to defend in firmer, more-complex psychologi- In both cases, war in a distant place itself against the worst political assaults cal ground, which includes but isn’t aroused fierce opposition. Yet opposition it faces. limited to core beliefs. to Vietnam led to demonization of the The war analog for oil and gas is the Opinions change readily; core beliefs military, while opposition to Iraq did price of energy, especially the price of change begrudgingly. Of the two, not. gasoline. opinions are much more susceptible to The real differentiating circumstance, The politics of energy is motivated manipulation. Within groups, even with I believe, is the draft—a social force and shaped by the price of energy—es- individuals, harmony between opinions strongly at work in the Vietnam era and pecially gasoline. and core beliefs can be elusive, even dif- nonexistent today. People have opinions about all sorts ficult to achieve. For young men in the mid to late of things related to energy—security, cli- The public image of the United 1960s and early 1970s, the draft limited mate change, supposed threats to drink- States military changed because choice. You took your chances in the ing water from hydraulic fracturing. opinions about it did what opinions so annual lottery. You got a school or But people act on price. They buy readily do—they changed. And I like marriage deferment. You made the best energy on the basis of price. They to think those opinions are more closely of the inevitable—as I was fortunate vote—when options are clear—on the aligned now than they were in the ‘60s enough to do—by attending college and basis of price. and ‘70s with core American beliefs. entering military service as an officer. Price is more than a matter of opin- If there’s any hope for improvement You moved to Canada, where the Draft ion. It’s a matter of economic interest, of the oil and gas industry’s image in the Board couldn’t get you. Or you went which is a manifestation of core belief public square, public opinions about the underground and became a radical. and therefore a prime mover of behav- industry have to change. Those were the options. They didn’t ior—something over which people will As I said earlier, the oil and gas indus- leave room for much career planning. wage intellectual war. try suffers in politics because so many Limiting choices available to young I think the fate of cap-and-trade Americans so passionately hate it. men by any means is a sure way to de- legislation, proposed as an antidote to If the industry’s image were not stabilize any society. A related observa- global warming early in the 211th Con- so poor, politicians would be laughed tion, which I’ll mention in the interest of gress, supports my view. As effects of the offstage when they made indefensible al- inclusivity, is that limiting the influence proposal on the price of energy became legations—such as the perennial favorite of women to anything below parity in clear, opinions increasingly conformed that oil and gas companies conspire to all aspects of decision-making is a sure with economic interest, and political gouge consumers at the gasoline pump. way to make the worst possibilities of support for the measure melted away. A poor public image affects the male behavior come true. If the war analog in energy politics is workplace as well as politics. People Anyway, attached to an unpopular price, the draft analog is domination of who work in the industry must grow war, the limitation of choices available the vehicle fuel market by gasoline. tired of continually having to shrug off to young men through military conscrip- Americans feel conscripted to gasoline. unlearned yet unyielding suspicions ex- tion bred resentment. And the resent- When gasoline prices reach uncom- pressed by relatives and friends who live ment helped to radicalize American fortable levels, economists talk about outside petroliferous havens like Texas politics and spoil the IMAGE of the limited elasticity of demand, and politi- and Oklahoma. I know I do. American military. cians compare the effect with taxation. So what changed popular opinion Yet the military, as the B-52 pilot Convinced they have no choice, about the military? And what might etched into my memory made clear, was motorists revolt and open themselves the oil and gas industry learn from only doing what Americans, through to conspiracy theories promulgated by that history? their political system, had told it re- political heroes needing populist dragons During my adolescence and early soundingly to do. to slay. adulthood, two variable circumstances Opinion about the military and core Yet choices exist. At the most basic inflamed antimilitary passions. beliefs about security and American val- level, motorists choose where to buy One was unpopularity of the Viet- ues had been knocked out of alignment gasoline among retail outlets that clearly nam War, especially among activists and by truncation of individual choice via advertise prices. well-positioned elites of politics, aca- military conscription. Americans also can—and do—reduce demia, and the media. Improvement of the military’s public consumption in times of elevated price.

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They increase their use of mass transit war. It’s a choice. effort to improve the oil and gas indus- and reduce discretionary driving. Some If the reality of choice, including try’s public image is something new, of them trade in SUVs for less fuel-raven- the historic choices that created present as far as I know. And if anyone were ous sedans. The effects take time, but they circumstances, gained prominence in to consider it a good idea, a practical do moderate consumption. political discussions, I believe the image question to ask would be: Will anybody In fact, consumption of gasoline— of the oil and gas industry could be lib- listen? long the growth oil product in the erated from the intellectual warfare that To answer that, I’ll revive another United States—has flattened, maybe frames debate now. Then—maybe—it military memory. This one is about a forever. could improve. sign on walls of many an officer’s club And another choice—a political At this moment in the history of oil during my years on active duty. choice to require sales of fuel made and gas, it’s more important than ever It said: “The mission of the Air Force from biological feedstock—is trimming that the industry work toward this level is to fly and to fight, and don’t you ever the need for gasoline made from crude of happy enlightenment. forget it.” oil. Grain ethanol now fills about ten The United States is entering a very I like the pointed brevity. It strikes me percent of the U.S. need for gasoline. promising era of oil and gas supply. as something the B-52 pilot might say. It And its use is growing. The newly recognized potential of makes me think the oil and gas industry Whether that represents sound policy unconventional resources, especially could be more pointed that it is now in is debatable. The point here is that it shales, other low-permeability forma- its communication with the American reflects a choice. tions, and reservoirs containing immo- public. More such choices will present bile heavy oil and bitumen, is reshaping How’s this for a pointedly brief state- themselves in politics. I personally be- the energy future of North America. ment about the oil and gas industry’s lieve experience with renewable-energy It’s reshaping views about American purpose? mandates will force attention to the high reliance on oil from abroad. And it’s “The mission of the oil and gas busi- costs of those programs. And as lessons promising abundant, long-term sup- ness is to deliver energy you need at a become apparent and widely under- plies of natural gas for use as a fuel for price you can afford in the amounts you stood, economic interest will prevail. power generation and manufacturing, require.” But, again, these are choices. Ameri- as a petrochemical feedstock, and as a By reflex, somebody will want to add cans are not drafted against their wills vehicle fuel. something about environmental respon- into vehicles fueled by gasoline originat- Realization of this enormous po- sibility. But whoever wrote that officer’s ing wholly in crude oil. tential requires sound policy-making. club statement didn’t feel obliged to say Domination of the vehicle fuel mar- I fear, though, that exaggerated alarm “to fly without crashing and to fight ket by gasoline is not a consumer trap. It over hydraulic fracturing, the comple- without getting shot down.” doesn’t result from political coercion or tion technique essential to establishing I’m concerned with essential pur- industry manipulation. production from tight formations, puts pose here. Safety and environmental Domination of the fuel market by us off to a bad start. responsibility are imperatives of work gasoline is a legacy of choices based on And I’m afraid misconceptions and therefore implicit in mission, in a the fuel’s physical and economic advan- underlying that alarm will be difficult to statement of which they should require tages related to energy density, mobility, change as long as the American public no mention. and scale. distrusts the oil and gas business. That’s At the most fundamental level, the Those advantages are very difficult why the industry’s image must improve. distinguishing purpose of the oil and gas for other fuels to overcome. Other fuels There’s more than ever at stake. industry IS to deliver AFFORDABLE cost more and can’t compete without I’ve tried to show that reversal of energy IN NEEDED QUANTITY. subsidization by taxpayers or consumers a poor public image is possible; the That essential emphasis on scale of and mandates like the Renewable Fuel military did it, after all. I’ve asserted, the challenge leads me to one more hith- Standard. by comparison with changes in cir- erto untested suggestion I’ll make about Subsidies impose cost, which cumstances affecting the military, that ways to improve image. conflicts with economic interest. And a reaffirmation of choice is essential A huge industry should figure out mandates represent a political choice to changing the oil and gas industry’s how to make size work for rather than that limits economic choice—a para- image. And I’ve hinted at elements of against itself. dox some might see as related to core strategy: working to change baseless A big reason people unfamiliar with American belief. opinions, which are changeable, while il- the oil and gas industry distrust the oil The point here is that reminders luminating elements of a stronger driver and gas industry is that the oil and gas about the choices that do exist on energy of behavior, economic interest, which is industry is so confoundedly large. might help Americans understand that a dimension of core belief. It has to be big. The requirements the price of gasoline is not a political My linking of choice to a necessary of a world growing in population

CICERO 2013 016 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS and industrialization are huge—and together will lose share over time. But The industry has to be willing to growing. requirements for them in absolute terms look at the American public through That world will continue to need will continue to grow. television cameras and say: If you all the oil and gas that can be brought That unpopular but unassailable don’t want affordable energy that’s affordably to market—and all the coal, reality makes the industry that produces, available in the amount you need nuclear, and renewable energy that can processes, and delivers oil and gas ex- when you need it, buy the other kind. be delivered economically as well. tremely important. You have the choice. Just please don’t Because the already huge oil and gas And that makes work of the people deprive other people of their right to business must get bigger, suspicion about in that industry—your work—extremely choose something different. the industry related to its enormity can important. It’s work related to human We’ve entered an era of excit- only deepen unless something changes. welfare, mobility, and security. It’s work ing new potential for the oil and gas So here’s another observation from too frequently disparaged—like military industry, its workers, and its custom- outside the canon of oil and gas com- service was in the era of Vietnam. ers. We can fulfill the promise, which munication with the public: The size of That—must—change. The image of requires working to improve the indus- the oil and gas industry is a manifesta- the oil and gas industry has to improve. try’s image by highlighting choice and tion of the IMPORTANCE of the oil At the dawn of the age of uncon- asserting the world-scale importance and gas industry. ventional oil and gas, the industry has of the work. Or we can assume image Oil and gas together account for to be willing to emphasize choice and to never changes and settle for chipping just less than sixty percent of the global express choice clearly and directly in the away at the edges of possibility. energy market—a very large market context of the importance of the work— That choice is ours. destined to become larger. Oil and gas like that B-52 pilot did so many years ago. Thank you.

WINNER: GOVERNMENT CATEGORY “How Toddlers Will Save the World”

Writer: Sylvia Link Delivered to: Ontario Ministry of Education, Speaker: Jim Grieve, Assistant Deputy Minister, Saskatchewan, Canada, May 11, 2012 Ontario Ministry of Education

elcome. It’s hard to believe this together the themes we’ve heard over remote Norwegian island of Svalbard, Wamazing national early years con- the past three unforgettable days—and in the Arctic Archipelago. They drilled ference is almost over. We’ve heard from to give us our marching orders as we through permafrost, deep into one of the top experts, learned about the most leave today. the island’s mountains. There, they built up-to-the-minute research and had the If I had to sum up everything I’ve a vault designed to withstand earth- opportunity to network for three days learned and heard and talked about quakes and even nuclear attacks. The with people who share our commitment over the past three days, I’d say that I’ve entrance to the vault is camouflaged and to early learning and young children. learned how toddlers will save the world. it’s protected with high security. Whenever I travel, one of the things I Well, not only toddlers. Infants, tod- What’s in this vault? Well, if you do is visit child care centres and kinder- dlers, pre-schoolers and kindergartners. think it’s military secrets, money or garten classrooms. In between the amaz- So, in the hour that I’ve privileged to priceless gems, you’d be wrong. It’s ing keynote presentations, I also man- speak with you, I’m going to re-state the something far more precious. aged to slip out and visit three wonderful reasons why our youngest learners will The vault contains seeds. More than early learning programs. I saw kinder- save the world. It’s a big job they have 1.5 million different types of seeds. This garten and pre-K classes in two schools, ahead of them, and so they’re going to vault is being referred to as the “Noah’s as well as a community based child care. need some help from us. Ark” for the “most valuable natural I was especially interested in the child As I was preparing to come out to resource on earth.” care centre that I visited at Peacock Sec- this conference, I came across a news Seeds. Young children. There are ondary School—which serves some very story that really caught my attention. definite similarities. Small, but capable young mothers who are also finishing Construction was recently completed of remarkable, inestimable growth. their own high school education. on a nine-million-dollar vault. To You don’t know, just to look at a My job this morning is to pull build this vault, crews travelled to the seed, what it could grow into. Same

VSOTD.COM 017 thing with a young child. But you do developed. Different types of research, connection between early learning and know for sure that seeds—and young such as infant brain imaging, consis- the health of individuals and commu- children—can’t grow without the right tently show the profound similarities nities. For example, a recent study in environment, without the care and among newborn human brains. We all the American Journal of Public Health nurturing they need. start out with basically the same brain. found that children who received age- In some ways, this conference has Many scientists now believe that 20 appropriate early learning from infancy been a seed ark for early learning—all percent of a person’s outcome in life is had significantly better health. These of the research and best practices to the result of innate brain capacity. The findings were independent of IQ, edu- help us ensure the future success of our other 80 percent is based on what hap- cational attainment or socio-economic youngest learners. pens after birth. status. By virtue of the fact that you’re here We heard about the exponential Early education reduced health at this conference, you have demonstrat- brain cell development that happens risks like smoking and depression and ed your commitment to—and belief between birth and age two. The more improved a number of health outcomes in—the vital importance of the early nurturing, rich experiences the baby has, throughout the individuals’ lives. “The years. But we have to be prepared, as we the more brain connections are made. health benefits of early learning are go back to our classrooms and school This early development is so impor- dramatic,” said the main investigator. boards and colleges and universities tant to what happens in the child’s brain The connection between early devel- and ministries of education to carry the later on. Birth to age six seems to be the opment and success in school has long torch for early learning. Because many prime time for the density of neuron been demonstrated through the Early people are not yet convinced. There’s a connections to develop. In simple terms, Development Index, which celebrated feeling that early learning is the “flavour for the first six years, the brain is build- its 10th birthday in 2011. The EDI, of the moment” and can’t live up to its ing up its density of brain cells. The next which is a measure of early develop- hype. Is it really true that toddlers will task for the brain is to make patterns of ment conducted during kindergarten, is save the world? connection between the cells. That age a highly accurate predictor of a child’s There’s a lot of conventional wisdom coincides well with children starting into level of academic success through their about children. Tell me if you’ve heard academic learning in school. entire school career. any of these before: Then, from about age 14 onward As we heard from EDI pioneer Clyde • Children should be seen and ... not through the teen years and into early Hertzman in the opening keynote, heard. adulthood, the brain begins to cut away children need a strong foundation in • Spare the rod and ... spoil the child. weak pathways—wiring and sculpting all five domains—physical health and • Youth is wasted on the ... young. of the brain. The wiring of neurons wellbeing, social competence, emo- While these are still familiar adages, in the brain is hugely influenced by tional maturity, language and cognitive they don’t reflect what we know now stimulation and the use of these neuron development, and communication skills about educating and raising children. pathways. So, pathways that are not and general knowledge. It’s important Most of what we thought we knew intensely used will disappear. to note that a deficit in any one of these about early human development has This is clear evidence that the brain areas of early development is a risk been turned upside down. you end up with as an adult is signifi- factor—it’s not just about cognitive de- In fact, our understanding of early cantly determined by the earliest years velopment, which we normally associate learning has exploded over the past of life. with success in school. two decades. I’m sure that many of you are fa- To improve school outcomes at Today, breathtaking scientific findings miliar with this neuroscience. But we’re all grades, we need to focus on early are showing that biology is the ultimate talking about much more than just brain childhood. So, it’s certainly true that level playing field. The human brain at development—as my good friend and toddlers will save public education. To birth holds within it untold, often un- mentor the late Dr. Fraser Mustard said, paraphrase Leonard Cohen, first we tapped, equal opportunity only slightly it’s about early human development. We take kindergarten, then we take grade influenced by genetic prophecy. know that early human development 1. There is no reason inquiry-based, Our understanding of brain re- affects every part of our society and our play-based learning must stop at the end search, neurobiology and epigenetics is world. Health, educational attainment, of kindergarten. This style of teaching constantly changing. economic well-being and so much more and learning is about engaging all minds Early learning experts Jean Clinton depends on what kind of start we give to throughout our school system. and Stuart Shanker each gave us an our youngest members. From Stuart Shanker, we heard overview of some of this research in Children’s early learning experiences about self regulation. We’ve under- their keynote sessions. have a profound effect on their develop- stood for many years about the impor- As they both reminded us, when a ment and future well-being. tance of self-regulation for a child’s baby is born, its brain is relatively un- There’s a lot of science to show the success in school—and throughout life.

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But, Stuart’s research is helping us to tion. This is an average for all of early tion. We’re using this staged approach to understand why it’s so important. learning throughout the preschool years. make the process more manageable for His insights about the optimal zone (Thank you for this stat, by the way, school boards. But we’re also using what for learning are vitally important to James. I use it in every presentation, and we learn as we go along to make imple- our ability to apply the concept of self it never fails to get people’s attention.) mentation better. This year, we have 20 regulation in the classroom. We now The younger we start, the higher the per cent of children in the program. understand we can help young children benefit. At-risk populations also see a By September, it will be almost half of learn how to stay “calmly focused and much higher benefit. children. And by September 2014, one- alert.” And we’ve learned a great deal Some studies have shown that every quarter million kindergarten children about how we can change classrooms dollar we invest in children before age will be benefiting from this play-based and school structure to support children six saves up to $17 in future social ser- program with a teacher and ECE in ev- in this process. vice costs. ery classroom and a ratio of one-to-13. The science and research makes a The HighScope Perry Preschool We’ve also brought child care into the clear case about the importance of the study in the U.S. has followed a group Ministry of Education. This is a trend early years. But public investment in of individuals from age three to today— across Canada and around the world. those crucial first years is the lowest of they’re now about 40 years old. To date, Right now, there are two options any period in an individual’s lifetime. the economic return to society for each for regulated or licensed child care in We’re in a difficult situation. At a person’s early education is $16.14 per Ontario—centre-based licensed child time of fiscal restraint, when everyone dollar invested. And these individuals care or home-based child care associ- is looking to make cutbacks in public presumably are only half way through ated with a licensed private-home day spending, we’re out there trying to make their life. care agency. Only 19 percent of Ontario the case for putting significantly more Here’s another indicator of the eco- children are in licensed care. money into early learning. nomic value of early learning. I came Licensed centres have a registered But we also know there is such a thing across this story recently in the New early childhood educator in every room. as a false economy—something that ap- York Times. According to a study done The College of Early Childhood Educa- pears to be a bargain or a good deal, that by Harvard economist Raj Chetty and tors was established three years ago, doesn’t pan out in the long run. five other researchers, an early educator similar to colleges of teachers or physi- We experience that in our personal adds $340,000 in value to her students cians. It’s a first in North America. lives. Sometimes, we don’t get the great throughout their childhood and adult We have a mandate to bring child deal we thought we were. Take a double lives—in everything from better health care in Ontario in line with the most cheeseburger, for example. If people had to higher overall income. up-to-date science and research and the to pay the full environmental and health Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. best thinking from around the world. So, costs, a Big Mac would end up costing A number of studies have demonstrated we’re moving forward on the govern- more than $200. that the costs of inadequate invest- ment’s commitment to modernize Here’s another example. When ment in early education can approach childcare. someone buys a bottle of water, they’re $300,000 per child. This conference has been focused paying about 10,000 times the cost So our early learning program makes on what’s happening in the early years of tap water—including the energy extremely good economic sense. It across Canada, but my topic this morn- required and the CO2 emissions. makes sense in terms of school readi- ing is not just how toddlers will save Even doing one Google search pro- ness. It’s good public health policy and Canada, but rather how toddlers will duces the equivalent greenhouse gases contributes to poverty reduction. It save the world. of making a cup of tea. makes sense in terms of overall human There have been remarkable Early learning, on the other hand, development. It’s about helping more advances in human development over is a true bargain. Even if you look children be more ready for life. the past 200 years. On average, life at things strictly from an economic But we also have to remember that, expectancy has basically doubled in that perspective, early learning is a sure bet. in the short-term, it’s also very much period of time and so has individual And let’s face it, as public servants, it’s about providing support to young chil- income. Humanity made those advanc- our responsibility to provide the best dren and families here and now. es by learning to wash our hands with possible return on the investment of That’s what we’re doing in Ontario. I soap, disinfect our drinking water and public funds. would be remiss if I did not briefly share introduce universal primary education. I As we heard in his keynote this with you the Ontario early learning story. know it’s a little more complicated than morning, Nobel Prize winning econo- Ontario is implementing full-day that. But we have to ask ourselves—how mist James Heckman has demonstrated kindergarten for all four and five year can we continue to advance and develop a seven-to-one return on investment olds in the province. Right now, we’re at the rate we have been? for every dollar spent on early educa- in year two of a five-year implementa- In the past 50 years, Western de-

VSOTD.COM 019 velopment has slowed and developing materials and spaces can truly spark live babies, but very realistic simulator countries are rapidly catching up. How children to new heights of learning. babies—who cry and fill their nappies will we close the gap for those countries Then in January 2012, I was pleased just like real babies do. The members of that have not yet caught up? And how to represent the Council of Ministers of parliament who brought the “babies” can Western, developed nations con- Education, Canada in Oslo, Norway at into the debate were making a point— tinue to move forward? the OECD international early learning they were literally putting a human face My answer—toddlers, of course. conference. Again, I took a few extra on the debate, making it personal, rather Babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers will save days to see early learning in action. In than abstract. To remind their col- the world. Norway, early education begins at age leagues they were making decisions that It’s a fact that many countries under- one. Right from that age, it’s considered would affect the lives of real babies and stand, because the focus on early learn- learning, not “just” care. real families. ing is not just being seen in Canada—it’s I visited a particularly interesting The same thing is true for us. What a dramatic international trend. early learning school that is totally we do is no ordinary work. Every day, I’ve been privileged to make outdoors. Yes, young children spend the we are helping children on a path that presentations at several global early whole day outdoors in Norway in Janu- will shape the rest of their lives. We can’t learning conferences in the past two ary. There was a three-sided yurt for give a simulator baby to each decision- years and have met with people from shelter, for meals and some of the learn- maker, to hold as they discuss policies around the world. ing activities. If that wasn’t surprising and programs. But there is a great deal In Canada, we have much to be enough, a number of the pre-schoolers we can do to make sure they keep those proud of and we also have much to were whittling with very sharp knives. children in mind in every program, learn. When I asked the teachers if they didn’t policy and decision. So, I want to take a bit of time this consider very sharp knives dangerous, A couple weeks ago, I saw a viral morning to talk about some of the they replied in surprise that dull knives video that’s been going around. A dad things we here in Canada can learn would be much more dangerous! It was started videotaping his baby daughter from the international community. a good reminder to me that we always every week from birth. Now, he’s created In September 2010, UNESCO held need to challenge our preconceptions a time-lapse video which, in two min- the first global conference on early child- about what young children are capable utes, shows her from birth to age 12. It’s hood education and care in Moscow. of accomplishing. remarkable to see the ways in which she One speaker was Dame Ms. Iritana While northern European countries both changes—and stays the same—as Tawhiwhiangi, an indigenous person like Norway are generally seen as lead- she grows. from the Te Kohanga Reo National ers in accessible early education, there is One of the things that almost every Trust in New Zealand. And one of the a country poised to be perhaps the first parent says after seeing this video is, “I most powerful speakers I’ve ever heard! in the world to have universal publicly wish I had done that when my kids were There is a great deal we can learn from funded early learning for all children born.” her and others about ways we could be aged three to five by the year 2015. That Well, I don’t want us saying the same working more effectively with our own country? Trinidad and Tobago. thing when it comes to the future of Aboriginal peoples. The government there is ensuring young learners. At some future date, I While in Moscow, I took the oppor- that 340,000 pre-school children will don’t want us looking back on this mo- tunity to visit some kindergarten classes be enrolled in early childhood care and ment and wishing we had done more to and child care centres. I was amazed to education centres with one teacher to support their development and learning. learn that in Moscow child care centres every seven or eight students. The time to act is now. operate extended hours during the week I have to believe if it’s possible Here is another way to think about it. and even, when necessary for shift work- there, it’s possible here in Canada, with Right now, the children in early learn- ers, a 24/7 option. financial resources far beyond those of a ing represent the high school graduat- In 2011, I participated in a study tour small Caribbean island state. ing class of 2025—give or take a year of the early learning schools in Reggio In fact, it’s not only possible—it’s or two. Everything we know, all of the Emilia, Italy—the birth place of the essential. As we leave this conference, we research, tells us that what we do right “Reggio Method.” What I saw there must bring this message of the need for now with the youngest learners is the that particularly impressed me was an universal early learning to our decision- most effective way to have an influence emphasis on outdoor play and bringing makers at all political levels. over what happens in education for the world of nature indoors. Reggio- Last fall, I came across an interesting those children between now and 2025— inspired programs across Canada are story from Scotland. While the Scottish and certainly far beyond. placing using the classroom environ- parliament was holding a debate about I want to leave you with this great ment and the outdoors as an additional affordable child care, some members little story I came across in The Tele- “teacher.” We know that stimulating of parliament were holding babies. Not graph. It seems Chinese scientists have

CICERO 2013 020 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS discovered that baby pandas in captivity us needs to “suit up” with all of the early us. And, “suited up” with the knowl- develop better if the human caregivers learning science, research and data—to edge and the networks of colleagues dress up like pandas. So, every morn- make sure we’re giving our youngest who share our mindset, I know we ing, the workers who feed and care for learners the best possible start. can accomplish what we set out to the panda cubs suit up before starting One legacy from this conference achieve on behalf of our youngest their work. The scientists have found must be to continue to advocate for learners. this helps the cubs survive and, later on, universal public early learning and It’s the right thing to do. But it’s adapt to life in their natural habitat. for greater public investment in the also the necessary thing to do. Be- I think this story is a terrific metaphor early years. The research, science and cause, after all, it’s toddlers who will for our work in early learning. Each of the international community are with save the world. WINNER: MANUFACTURING/PRODUCTION CATEGORY “Greece Will Overcome”

Writer: Luke Boggs Delivered to: Business Advisory Council for Speaker: Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO, Southeastern Europe, The Coca-Cola Company Thessaloniki, Greece, May 31, 2012

ood evening and thank you so economic, political and social vitality of 3. Social harmony … and Gmuch for having me. this region. 4. Sustainable growth. It’s always a pleasure for me to spend And make no mistake: you’ve made Worldwide, public trust in our time in this wonderful part of the world a real difference in the lives of countless institutions has reached historic lows in and in this beautiful city. individuals and families. recent years. I also very much appreciate the op- Entrepreneurs seeking partners and People have lost confidence not only portunity to be among friends here, both capital for growth… in governments and legislatures but in new and old. Men and women looking for work businesses, schools, NGOs and even I want to thank Nikos Efthymiadis for and the dignity that comes with it… religious organizations. his kind invitation and the very valuable People striving to better their lives All around the world, we must work leadership he provides to this organiza- and those of their spouses and children. to restore trust. tion and the Mayor for his inspiring You’ve done all that and more. And Restoring trust, in turn, will require opening comments. you can—and should—be very proud. repairing our governance models. I’d also like to extend a special wel- I don’t believe it’s any secret that I’m This can’t be done independently, by come to two of our bottling partners, an optimist. one organization. from Coca-Cola Hellenic: Dimitris Lois Even now, tonight, I believe that, in Instead, it will require hard work and Anastassis David… and recognize many ways, our world is getting better. and cooperation across the Golden the man leading our business across Cen- Not in every place at every moment, Triangle of business, government and tral and Southeast Europe, our Business but across the board, generally speaking. civil society to ensure we have processes Unit president, Nikos Koumettis. I tend to see the glass not half-empty in place for greater scrutiny and long- * * * * but half-full or three-quarters full. term accountability. I want to begin by congratulating ev- At the same time, I’m also a realist. The unrest we’ve seen in many eryone in this room on the 15th anniver- Tonight, the reality is that our world countries and even, in some ways, the sary of the Business Advisory Council continues to face significant challenges. upheaval that swept across North Africa for Southeastern Europe. Not hopeless or insurmountable chal- and the Middle East last year... all these It’s especially pleasing and gratify- lenges. But serious challenges nonetheless. things result from a lack of confidence... ing to see that an organization which I As parts of this region and the world a lack of trust... a breakdown in social helped found 15 years ago is still strong beyond struggle to solve the calculus for harmony. and growing and making a contribution growth, I believe there are four consis- There’s a feeling among many of lost in this part of the world. tent and inter-connected themes that opportunity … especially among young What began with only an idea has must be addressed: people. become much, much more. 1. Confidence … When people start to feel that their For 15 years, you’ve been building the 2. Governance … social mobility has been impaired, we

VSOTD.COM 021 begin to see cracks in the mosaic of leadership ranks of global business—for won’t be difficult… won’t be unpleasant social harmony. its size, no country is better represented at times… won’t be challenging. They Those cracks, I believe, can only be than Greece. most certainly will. repaired by innovation, investment, Some of the world’s top business But Greece will overcome, of that and job creation … the drivers of leaders—from Andrew Liveris, Chair- I’m sure. sustainable growth. man and CEO at Dow… to Aris As for Coca-Cola’s future in Greece, All of which will require bold action Chandris at Westinghouse… to Arianna we’re steadfastly committed to this coun- by business … Stasinopoulos Huffington, media mag- try and our consumers, customers and smart incentives from government… nate—share a heritage here in Greece. other partners here. thoughtful collaboration with NGOs Greece also continues to build on We have a strong and unshakeable and civil society … her legacy of leadership in shipping and commitment to this beautiful nation. and a spirit of cooperation on every- shipbuilding… a heritage stretching Just in the past two years, the Coca- one’s part. from ancient times through the days of Cola system has invested 146 million Our friends here in Greece have seen Aristotle Onassis to the present. euros in our business here. more than their share of this sort of And Greece, which has made such a Indeed, industry as a whole has a sig- stress and adversity. large mark in languages and the arts, has nificant role to play in Greece and other Greece, as you know, has a long and been producing great writers and poets places where uncertainty and doubt storied history stretching back literally from Homer’s era to our own, including loom large. thousands of years. Nobel Prize winners Elytis and Seferis. Businesspeople… like those of us in This city alone dates back 2300 years. Even in these difficult days—es- this room … those in this city … those For millennia, Thessaloniki and pecially in these difficult days—our all across Greece and beyond … we Greece have endured every single sort Greek friends can and must hold their must all be part of the solution: of historic challenge. Wars and fam- heads high. We must: ines … earthquakes and invasions … This place has so much to be proud Find ways to grow … tyranny and injustice. of. Not just for the past but for the Make investments … And yet Greece has not just en- future. Support education and build strong dured such hardships. She has tran- My friends, I don’t have a crystal communities … scended them. ball tonight. Reinforce faith and help the disad- Again and again and again. I don’t know exactly what’s going to vantaged … Along the way, Greece has made happen in Greece tomorrow or the day Encourage entrepreneurship … vast contributions to world knowledge after that. and improve governance. and culture and understanding—con- But I can tell you this: Time marches When it comes to all these things, the tributions far out of proportion to her on … Change comes … Mists clear … path forward begins with each of us. geographic size. And a way forward presents itself. As much as this is true in Greece, it Think about how much our world Why am I so sure? is also true across this region and across owes to Greece … the art and archi- Because I know the timeless things Europe. tecture … of Greece… the enduring things of Even as Europe grapples with fresh the play dramas and myths … Greece… the things that are constant challenges, this is not the time to sit back our languages and mathematics … and lasting. and ride out the storm. our philosophies and governments. The beauty. On the contrary, this is the time to My entire life, I’ve been passionate The climate. confront difficult realities head-on—with about Greek antiquities—great physical The natural resources. courage, determination and strategic embodiments of Greece’s greatness. The rich history and heritage as the dexterity. Even olive oil—which, as many of cradle of democracy… rule not by a At the height of the global financial you know, I’m more than a little passion- king or a prince but by the people. turmoil, I told my Coca-Cola colleagues, ate about—comes with a Greek accent. More than anything, I believe in again and again, that we could not af- In recent years, Greece has repeat- Greece tonight because I believe in its ford to “waste this crisis.” edly proven the skeptics not just wrong, people. Instead, we had to act…and act but dead wrong. Their wealth of knowledge and decisively, putting the stress and strain of When doubters said it couldn’t be understanding and know-how… their the moment to work for us. done, this country hosted extraordi- experience in leadership and entrepre- I encouraged our people to focus on nary Olympic Games and Special neurism and skilled professions. what matters most to our business… Olympics—both of which I experi- None of these things are going away, shed all that’s wasteful and unpro- enced myself. no matter what else happens. ductive… Moreover, I can tell you that—in the That’s not to say the days ahead communicate actively with our

CICERO 2013 022 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS customers and other stakeholders … entirely new… something businesspeople ror—looking hard at our current real- and continue to invest, as always, in have never encountered before. ity—and having the courage to confront our brands. And that’s true in the narrow sense our challenges head-on while never losing History has shown, time and again, that these difficulties are unique to our our faith in the future. that world-class organizations that era. It’s about making the tough decisions proactively manage turbulence exit the In a broader sense, though, there is and choices. tunnel in much better shape than when truly nothing new under the sun. And it’s about taking necessary and they entered. And we can take inspiration from the needed risks. This was something well understood great leaders and business legends of the Always remember: where there is no by the greatest leader in Coca-Cola’s past… navigating today’s troubled waters risk, there is no reward. history, Mr. Robert Woodruff. with the same kind of courage, entrepre- Tonight, we’re toasting the 15th an- Mr. Woodruff led our business for neurial spirit, and inspired thinking. niversary of this vital organization. more than half of the last century—and Despite all that’s swirling around us, If that were all we were doing, there he left a vast and abiding legacy, one now is not the time to be fearful or skepti- would be little point in gathering. But we we’re still building on even now. cal or pessimistic. are doing so much more. At the height of the Great Depres- For leaders in business and govern- We’re continuing the good work of sion of the 1930s, when nearly every ment and civil society, this is a time to the past decade and a half, turning the other consumer goods company was think about how to best come out of this page on a new chapter, yet to be written cutting advertising and marketing positioned stronger… by everyone in this room and many more budgets, … more responsive … beyond. Mr. Woodruff refused. … more flexible … And I want to commend you: we’ve Instead, he actually increased promo- … and more open to new possibilities. come together under exactly the right tional spending during the Depression, For enterprises large and small, this is banner: greatly increasing the brand strength of a time to focus on the core and the future. “Leadership against crisis. Public- Coca-Cola, growing the business and How? By asking ourselves a series of private cooperation for growth.” setting our Company up for even greater fundamental questions: That’s the enduring mission of this growth in the years that followed. • Is it core to our future value? organization in just eight words. And Mr. Woodruff ’s big bet on brand- • Can we grow these businesses profit- Here in this timeless city, we have the building did even more than that. ably today? right people, in the right place, with the It helped people and businesses at • Can they generate attractive returns? right purpose and the right motivation to a time when they needed it most—ad This is also a time to anticipate the fu- get the next 15 years off to a rapid and agencies and radio stations, newspapers ture structure of our industries, whatever rousing start. and sign builders. they may be. That’s the right way to celebrate this And it gave a lift to everyone who saw And a time to have the right priorities anniversary, not by looking back but by that Coca-Cola, far from giving up, was for expenditures. looking forward… and working together hopeful and optimistic about the future. At the end of the day, it’s really all to realize the great potential of this year At times, Europe’s financial and about leadership. and the years to come. political turmoil can seem like something It’s about looking hard into the mir- Thank you very much!

WINNER: MEDIA CATEGORY “What Newspapers and Higher Education Can Learn from One Another”

Writer: Danny Woodward Speaker: Michael Rao, President, Virginia Delivered at: Omaha, Neb. Oct. 10, 2012 Commonwealth University

ood afternoon. I’m honored to 1950, the College World Series has might remember our basketball team’s Gshare this stage with Gov. Heine- been played right across the street historic run last year, or know that we man and Mr. Anderson. from us. You might know that Vir- are new members of one of America’s It’s good to be in Omaha, a great ginia Commonwealth University is a best basketball leagues, the Atlantic 10 city for college sports. Every year since great university for college sports. You Conference. We really love our basket-

VSOTD.COM 023 ball team, but there is so much more to and how they vote, how much money is all sizes are critically important parts VCU. We’re making important progress spent on certain schools, roads, etc.” of a vibrant, healthy city. Whether it’s toward becoming the nation’s premier He represents a new generation Richmond, Omaha, or somewhere in urban public research university. who has the ability to think deeply and between, what you do matters. As we advance, the coverage we are moved to take action. They want The truth is that when you connect receive from the Richmond Times-Dis- to engage in and contribute to their with your audience effectively, you have patch and other newspapers is so impor- communities. They’re critical thinkers; tremendous power. The stories you tant to us. The RTD is the newspaper we cannot do their thinking for them. choose to tell actually help shape the of record in Virginia. World Media and They’re influenced by technology and community. What McCombs and Shaw RTD are an ideal partnership: a great the social shift that has come with that theorized in the 1970s is still true—the newspaper and great organization. technology. They’re more sophisticated mass media set the agenda for public I’m really glad to be here to talk with in their thinking and can judge what discourse. They wrote, “Here may be a room full of newspaper executives matters vs. what doesn’t, and that raises the most important effect of mass com- because we have a lot to learn from one the stakes of authenticity for us. Their munication: its ability to mentally order another. Universities and newspapers expectations are much higher. They and organize our world for us. In short, have so much in common. We both play want information they can put into con- the mass media may not be successful a fundamental role in shaping society. text and use in their everyday lives right in telling us what to think, but they are We have the same purpose, although away, not years from now. stunningly successful in telling us what to we approach it in different ways: That To reach this new type of audience, think about.” You have a great responsi- is, we educate people and help them we both have more competition than bility to guide the national conversation understand their world, how they fit ever before, and in all formats. The way toward those things that matter most. into it, and how they can embrace their to reach them is not by being louder, From my perspective, what matters obligation to lead and change it. but more focused, relevant and use- most? Consider that for many years, the But we cannot do it the same way we ful to them. For both newspapers and U.S. was the world’s leader in awarding used to. We are no longer in the knowl- universities, old models don’t work for a bachelor’s degrees. We are now in 16th edge transmission business. We’re no new generation. Technology is impor- place, with just 41 percent of adults 25 longer just stating or teaching facts. We tant, but it is not enough just to move and older holding a college degree. This are now in the critical thinking business. the same old content to a new format, is a problem that affects our economy, Rather than distributing information to whether it is news or curriculum. We our national security, our foreign policy, masses, we now have to connect people must innovate our services, products, and nearly everything else about our with what they want to learn, and do so delivery methods, and more. way of life. We need to catch up, to in a context that is meaningful to them. Even though the type of audience award more college degrees. Our audiences want not only to receive is new, our obligation is the same as it We’re certainly addressing that in our information but also to review it, analyze has always been: to educate globally industry, including in a variety of ways it, and use it effectively. engaged citizens who will make a dif- at VCU. But newspapers can play a I recently had a lengthy conversa- ference and be leaders in our world. A significant role too by keeping education tion with my 12-year-old son about recent study by the Newspaper Associa- an important topic in people’s minds. newspapers and media. It was very tion of America Foundation showed But the fact is that many newspapers enlightening. He said that his genera- that young people who read newspapers no longer employ a full-time education tion seeks several things when they are are more likely to become active in their reporter. Rhode Island has a higher con- looking for news. One is graphic color community when they enter adulthood. centration of colleges and universities to help represent the story to be told. Which newspaper they read matters than any other state and yet the state’s He also said that comic relief would too. Two journalism graduate students newspaper of record, the Providence help: “newspapers tend to be so boring at the University of Wisconsin found Journal, has zero dedicated higher and serious,” which is probably more that people who read their local newspa- education reporters. There are more a statement from a 12-year-old than pers are much more likely to be engaged colleges and universities per capita and it is anything else! Finally, though, he in their local communities because virtually no one writes about them. said that he would pay to subscribe to they feel a social connection—perhaps This is not uncommon. At many an outlet that gathered data into pages proving that local newspapers were the newspapers, the only reporters cover- of tables that he could access regularly. first and best form of social media. On ing college and universities are writing This was particularly eye-opening to me the other hand, those who read only about their sports teams. Fewer than 2 because he’s 12 and doesn’t have very national newspapers are less engaged percent of news stories across all media much money! But he said “we need data locally because they think in terms of in 2009 focused on higher education. sources to check facts about different a nation-state, not their communities. Yet, what most people know about edu- things that interest us, like public officials This shows that local newspapers of cation still comes from media. Most of

CICERO 2013 024 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS these news stories were about budgets, Because newspapers and universi- Foundation among others. At VCU, crime, and the diagnosis of a contagious ties have much in common and can our students cover the state legisla- disease on campus—all important is- learn from one another, it’s important ture every spring for several smaller sues, but issues that do little to advance that we have a good relationship. newspapers around the state, called the and inform the national education de- Enrollment in the nation’s journal- Capitol News Service. It’s a remark- bate. It’s important that we focus more ism schools is increasing, including able experience for our students and on policy, curriculum, reform, faculty at VCU, despite the fact that there a great service to the newspapers that quality, and other critical matters. are fewer journalism jobs—a 20% lack the resources to staff the legisla- In today’s innovation economy, a reduction in the last 10 years. These ture daily. college degree is required. That’s why students will graduate into a changing We can continue to be great part- between 18 and 20 million people are job market, and together, we need to ners in the classroom and the commu- enrolled in college right now. There are prepare our students for the realities nity. I appreciate the chance to be here more on the way, and parents and fami- they will face after graduation. today to talk about what we already lies are asking more questions about col- One way is through innovative do—and can still do—together. We leges. Yet, according to a recent article new curriculum, and we’re seeing this have so much in common and so much in The Chronicle of Higher Educa- beginning to happen. The University to learn from one another as we pur- tion, they are increasingly not finding of Alabama and the Anniston Star sue our shared mission of educating the answers they need about school partner for a master’s degree in com- and creating globally engaged citizens. performance in their local newspapers. munity journalism, a novel program As one media mogul said: “Education’s It’s difficult for them to make their best, that serves a big market and great pur- purpose is to replace an empty mind most-informed decisions—decisions pose. Arizona State University hired a with an open one.” We both fulfill that that will affect their future, and our fu- former Washington Post executive to critical purpose. ture, in such a profound way—without create journalism curriculum for the Thank you. I look forward to taking the best, most-complete information. 21st century, supported by the Knight your questions. WINNER: NONPROFIT CATEGORY “Message, Messenger, Audience”

Writer: Daniel Rose Delivered at: Burstyn Memorial Lecture Speaker: Daniel Rose, Chairman, Rose & Associates Hunter College, New York City, N.Y., Oct. 15, 2012

Friends, Romans, countrymen, That is how great speeches are Johnson’s proclaiming that “We Shall “lend me your ears. I come to bury constructed. A strong beginning, a Overcome” deserves better. Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that convincing middle and a rousing end, Effective public speaking is not men do lives after them. The good is delivered with conviction by a speaker rocket science. Twenty-five hundred oft interred with their bones. So let it be with authority, whose goal is to convince years ago Aristotle observed that cred- with Caesar.” an audience open to persuasion. At the ibility (“ethos”), logic (“logos”) and That’s how Shakespeare opens one moment, this seems a lost art. emotion (“pathos”) underlay all good of history’s greatest speeches. What a The speeches at this year’s Repub- speeches, and that vivid images and beginning! lican and Democratic National Con- appropriate use of figures of speech “And gentlemen in England now a- ventions—with the exception of Bill would reach the hearts and minds of a bed shall think themselves accursed they Clinton’s rousing performance and a targeted audience. were not here, and hold their manhoods few others—reflect what has happened Few of us are called upon, like cheap whilst any speaks that fought with to public speaking in America. Angry Winston Churchill in 1940, to revive the us upon Saint Crispin’s day.” That’s polemic, gracelessly expressed, deliv- self-confidence of a nation, or like Joan how he ends another of the world’s ered to already-converted partisans, is of Arc, to encourage one’s compatriots most memorable orations. standard fare. as she was being burned at the stake. “I know not what course others may A nation moved by Lincoln at Get- We may be Father of the Bride or Maid take, but as for me, give me liberty or tysburg and by FDR’s fireside chats, of Honor, eulogist at a funeral, com- give me death.” Patrick Henry’s ending by Jack Kennedy’s asking what we can mencement speaker or recipient of an is part of our national heritage. do for our country and by Lyndon honor; the basic rules remain the same.

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Suiting the talk to the occasion is white clergymen who called his actions Aeschines spoke. Demosthenes then rose common sense (“decorum” the ancients “unwise and untimely.” King’s evocation to give his Philippic, and the Assembly called it), but many a Best Man does not of St. Paul and of Socrates, Aquinas shouted, “Let us march against Philip!” realize that the bawdy joke well-received and Martin Buber—his citing Shadrach, Studying memorable speeches can at a Bachelor Party is in poor taste at the Meshach and Abednego’s refusal to be helpful, and educational as well. Wedding; or as Mitt Romney discov- obey the laws of The greatest secular speech of all time, ered, the 47 percent comment that went Nebuchadnezzar—and his por- Pericles’ Funeral Oration as reported over well with “true believers” was a trayal of the terror and despair of black by Thucydides 2,600 years ago, conveys disaster before a broader audience. children throughout the South, should ideas we would do well to ponder today. Good “delivery”—what Demos- be required reading in every American Think of our Millionaires’ Congress: thenes called the first, second and third school. Pericles says, “Advancement in public requirements for a great speech—has When we gave our contribution to life falls to reputation for capacity, class become rare in American life. Nine out help plan the Washington protest for considerations not being allowed to of ten of us mumble to the front row later that summer, I hid my fear that interfere with merit; nor does poverty rather than boom out to the back row. bringing together vast numbers of Civil bar the way. If a man is able to serve the Many nervously speak quickly before an Rights activists and red-necked southern state, he is not hindered by the obscurity audience rather than use the slower pace police could result in a counter-produc- of his condition.” that experts recommend. Good speakers tive riot. The Reverend was certain that Consider the mega yachts of our use judicious pauses for emphasis and the event’s tone would be spiritual. And hedge funders on the political Right, as dramatic impact, raising or lowering the his I Have a Dream speech became one Pericles notes, “We cultivate refinement voice as indicated. of our nation’s greatest orations. without extravagance and knowledge Some techniques used by experts I Have a Dream has been called the without effeminacy; wealth we employ can be dangerous for amateurs. In the most important and influential speech more for use than for show.” How many Carter/Reagan presidential debate, for of the 20th century. Addressing a on our political Left could dispute his example, when Carter passionately lev- transfixed audience, standing resolutely, point that, “The real disgrace of poverty eled his fiercest attack, Reagan chuckled, his back to the Lincoln Memorial, King is not in owning to the fact but in declin- threw his head back and said, “There began his speech with “Five score years ing the struggle against it.” you go again!” The audience exploded ago, a great American, in whose sym- Lou Gehrig’s “Farewell to Base- with laughter, and the election was over. bolic shadow we stand today, signed the ball,” at which I cried as a young boy, An amateur should not try this. Emancipation Proclamation.” expressed a modesty, a gratitude for Debates, essays and speeches are What a man, what a setting, what the good things life had given him, different art forms. The Mitt Romney an opening! that is unthinkable from our gladiators who bored his public with his Conven- After evoking the Declaration of of today. tion acceptance speech energized them Independence and the Constitution as Studying failures—or lost oppor- at the first Presidential debate, while “promissory notes,” he declared that tunities—may be even more helpful the reverse was the case with President America had defaulted, the check had to mistake-prone amateurs. Studying Obama. Ronald Reagan and Bill Clin- come back marked “insufficient funds”; great “saves” can be instructive, too. ton excelled at both forms, while neither and he proclaimed (like Amos in the Richard Nixon’s emotional “Check- could write a decent essay. Old Testament) that he would not be ers” speech, for example, effectively When, in the Spring of 1963, our satisfied until “justice rolls down like ended talk of the embarrassing “Nixon friend Bayard Rustin invited my wife waters and righteousness like a mighty Scandal Fund.” Mitt Romney’s self- and me to have dinner with him and stream.” He went on to describe his confident, authoritative manner in the Martin Luther King, Jr., we had just dream (“deeply rooted in the American first Presidential debate of 2012, his been deeply moved by reading MLK’s Dream”), echoing the powerful reso- eye-contact with the audience and his extraordinary Letter From Birming- nance of the Biblical Isaiah. He cited smiling gazes at his adversary, did much ham Jail, one of the most powerful “My country ‘tis of thee” and finished in the audience’s view to overcome the and eloquent missives of all time. with the old Negro spiritual refrain weakness of his argument. Denied stationery in his cell, King “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God The failure of Obama’s advisors and poured out his thoughts on toilet pa- Almighty, we are free at last!” And the “handlers” to prepare him adequately per and in the margins of newspapers, nation responded by supporting Lyndon for the first debate will be notable in po- while Birmingham Police Chief Bull Johnson’s Civil Rights legislation. litical history. David Axelrod, Obama’s Connor (a name out of Restoration In the classical world, Aeschines chief advisor, noted after the debate, Comedy) turned fire hoses and police warned the Athenian Assembly of “The president showed up with the dogs on non-violent protesters. threats from Philip II of Macedon, and intent of answering questions and hav- King’s letter was a reply to eight everyone commented on how eloquently ing a discussion. Romney showed up to

CICERO 2013 026 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS deliver a performance, and he delivered started the recovery from the disaster by Peggy Noonan, Barack Obama’s a very good performance.” As Reagan’s we inherited; with your support we by Jon Favreau. Franklin Roosevelt speech writer Peggy Noonan said years will finish it.” corrected his own, but the first drafts ago, “A speech is part theater and part Michelle Obama’s Convention were written by skilled writers like political declaration,” and Axelrod speech was widely praised, and the Sam Rosenman, Robert Sherwood, should have listened. audience came away feeling that this Archibald Macleish and others. If When Axelrod was asked why good woman loved her husband. you get help for a major talk, or have Obama did not address Romney’s Necessary but not sufficient! I would someone prepare a draft, you are in “47 percent” gaffe, he replied, “The have added to her remarks: “The good company. But writing your own president obviously didn’t see the man I live with may look calm, but material can not only be fun, but also appropriate opportunity.” The ap- he spends sleepless nights over our educational. E.M. Forster’s comment, propriate opportunity? O’s opening casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, “How do I know what I think until I statement could have been, “Gov- and agonizes over students who can’t hear what I say?” states it clearly. ernor Romney is concerned about find jobs and unemployed workers Plunge in and write your own; but some of us; I am concerned about all whose insurance is running out.” remember Aristotle’s “ethos,” “logos” Americans, including the 47 per- Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his and “pathos”; Cicero’s “decorum”; cent.” own sermons and speeches. John Demosthenes’ “delivery”; and the O’s talk petered out. My sugges- F. Kennedy’s were written by Ted one attribute of all great speeches— tion would have been: “We have Sorenson, Ronald Reagan’s were say something worth saying! WINNER: PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE CATEGORY “As America Looks Ahead”

Writer: Daniel Rose Delivered to: Yale University, Speaker: Daniel Rose, Chairman, Rose & Associates New Haven, Conn., March 26, 2012

erious unknowns face America in longest bridges, six largest dams, most raise living standards for all. At the mo- Sthe years ahead, but one thing is creative space exploration programs ment, our fiercely partisan leadership certain—those societies able to enhance and cities with highest broadband con- across the political spectrum focuses the human capital and social capital of nectivity and fastest Internet service on immediate electoral issues at the their citizens will outperform dramati- are now overseas and the best stem expense of the longer term; social issues, cally those that do not. The tangibles of cell research and work on renewable such as contraception, abortion or gay mineral, industrial and financial capital energy are not taking place in America. marriage, threaten to displace serious will recede in importance relative to the Sadly, other nations are coming to value economic discussions dealing with our intangible strengths of an educated, higher education more than we do. aging population, our skyrocketing motivated, socialized and future-minded Traditional American optimism is giving medical costs or the necessary invest- public, one that is ably led, with a way to widespread foreboding, and our ments in education and infrastructure generally-accepted vision of “the good tax-conscious public seems unwilling to we must make to secure our future. And life” and an ethos of personal responsi- pay for necessary investments in educa- no one has the courage to face frankly bility—valuing both equality and excel- tion or infrastructure. Today, nations the unsustainable unfunded pensions of lence—one that encourages all to rise to with larger populations, more effective our government employees. the extent their talent and effort permit. leadership and more prudent allocation The biblical Joseph’s dream of “seven The undisputed American economic, of their resources present competitive fat years” followed by “seven lean years” military and geo-political primacy challenges that must be acknowledged. may be upon us, and in the period of of 1945 to 2000 is now history. We That challenge can be met by an austerity we are entering, harnessing our still have the world’s largest military, American public that is better edu- national brain power is more important its reserve currency, most of its best cated and vocationally trained than its than ever. Yet today public colleges in universities and nearly a quarter of its competitors, one that works smarter and Florida and Texas are eliminating depart- economic activity; but important trends harder, that has the necessary techno- ments of engineering and computer sci- and forecasts have gone negative. The logical and social capital and whose ence, and 4l states have made large cuts world’s eight tallest buildings, seven goal is to increase productivity and to in their education budgets.

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In 2008, 56 percent of the world’s classes of the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, learn from French crèches and ecoles engineering degrees were awarded in India, China). The leaders of our in- maternelles. In rethinking our national Asia vs. 4 percent in the U.S. In 2009, dustrial trade unions must understand pension practices, we can learn from 64 percent of U.S. doctoral degrees in the constructive role they can play in Australia and Chile. In rethinking our engineering went to foreigners, chiefly restructuring our labor policies (stultify- approach to transportation infrastruc- from Asia, who are then forced by ing work rules, onerous jurisdictional ture, we can learn from the developing our immigration laws to return home. disputes, etc.) to keep our American nations of Asia. In turn, if we can ever U.S.-based companies like 3M, Caterpil- industries internationally competitive. create a health delivery system that is lar and General Electric, now global, College leaders must give us a “bigger cost-effective, efficient and whose financ- have spent billions of dollars expanding bang” for our educational buck; finan- ing is actuarially sound, we can show the their overseas research labs. “Given the cial leaders must prudently channel our rest of the world how to do it. moribund interest in science in the U.S., nation’s savings into productive uses Singapore in the East and the this is strategically very important,” says that keep our economy growing; and Nordic countries of the West, though 3M’s Chief Executive George Buckley. political leaders must encourage the demographically small and relatively A nation proud of Thomas Edison, proceeds to be applied wisely and fairly. homogeneous, are increasingly setting Alexander Graham Bell, Eli Whitney We must balance the tension between the standards by which the “success” or and George Washington Carver (names short term self-interest and long term “failure” of a society is measured today, unknown to most high school students national interest, between the demands when knowledge and skills are the new today) must look to its laurels. Today, of the young and the needs of the old, global currency; and Americans are tak- that requires “mind workers” who pro- and we must not forget Oliver Wendell ing heed. International competition in cess information. Holmes’ sage observation that “taxes results will encourage critical examina- For America to regain its forward are the price we pay for a civilized soci- tion of means, and America will profit momentum, we must understand why ety.” Transcending our petty tribalisms from being forced to view with fresh eyes our national median wages have been of color, religion and ethnicity, we must practices, concepts and policies that we stagnant for decades, why our students aim for a meritocracy of true accom- have previously taken for granted. rank poorly in international academic plishment; and all our young people When Americans learn, for ex- ratings and why 75 percent of our should be encouraged to aim high and ample, that 15 year olds in Finland young adults do not qualify to serve in to prepare themselves for futures that have the world’s highest standards in our military, why our national trans- are demanding and rewarding. reading, math and science, they should portation infrastructure is outclassed by Most importantly, a dynamic, also recognize that teaching in Finland international standards, why so many of skilled and productive middle class is (at all levels) is a high prestige profes- our “best and brightest” college students clearly the key to national well-being, sion, and that it is as hard for Finns now choose careers on Wall Street and we must do all we can to repro- to win a place in a teacher training rather than become engaged in the pro- duce, sustain and expand ours. Today course as it is to get into law school ductive world. (46 percent of Princeton’s our middle classes are threatened by or medical school. No Finn can teach class of 2006 entered finance.) two important factors: a) increasing high school math, chemistry or phys- Fresh thinking is required and out- automation, which is performing ever ics without having majored in those dated “conventional wisdom” must be more complex human functions, and subjects. Starting teachers in Finland discarded. For example, we must begin b) globalization, which encourages the receive pay roughly equal to those of to think of under-educated or vocation- work traditionally performed by the starting doctors or lawyers, and their ally untrained young people as poten- developed world’s middle classes to be careers are respected and rewarding. tial national assets whose flowering will undertaken more cheaply elsewhere. (And 98 percent of Finnish children benefit the nation at large, not only For the first time, Americans are attend excellent—and free—pre- themselves, as they become “taxpay- starting to look over our shoulders to see school programs.) ers” rather than “tax eaters.” We must how other nations meet these challenges. In New York City, by contrast, too recognize the relevance of Schum- In rethinking the training and appren- many of our public school teachers peter’s theory of “creative destruction,” ticeship policies of our industrial work come from the lowest quartile of their in which “old” jobs must yield to “new” force, we can learn from Germany. In classes in the least prestigious municipal jobs with more demanding require- rethinking our narcotics policies on ad- colleges; they are hired with dismally ments. Our dysfunctional, gridlocked diction, incarceration and rehabilitation, low standards and are granted tenure Congress must face our pressing need we can learn from Sweden. In rethink- with just three or four years in the class- for a national industrial policy and a ing the selection, training and reten- room. New York’s teachers’ unions fight national trade policy that will permit tion of our public school teachers, we fiercely against reasonable teacher evalu- us to retain high-paying jobs supply- can learn from Finland. In rethinking ations; for poorly performing teachers, ing the needs of the growing middle our early childhood practices, we can the union demands arbitration and ap-

CICERO 2013 028 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS peal procedures that can keep even alco- a full life); 2) prison incarceration (who devote parental time and resources to holics, suspected felons, sexual predators goes to jail and what transpires there); the child, speak to the child frequently and violent offenders in the classroom and 3) immigration (who enters the in grammatically correct and expres- (or at the least on the payroll) for years. country and with what ramifications). sive language, dine with the child in a Few low-performing teachers are actu- Other problems deserve attention, of congenial family setting, serve as positive ally fired; the best teachers are often not course; but these three are the “low role models themselves. Others either do rewarded nor retained. (Outstanding, hanging fruit” which, if not or cannot. Since these factors defy dedicated teachers struggle under great dealt with effectively, will have pro- easy measurement, social scientists tend handicaps.) Correlation is not the same found effects on the future of Ameri- to downplay or discount them. as causation; but does ineffective teach- can society. As the child continues to grow, ing relate to the 84 percent rate of New A) Personal Development community values come into play. For York City public high school graduates Most Americans feel they have the example, drug dealers with fancy clothes requiring remedial courses in math, opportunity to achieve their potential; and expensive cars may be seen as those reading and writing when they enter those who do not deserve more atten- to emulate, or they are not. Teenage CUNY community colleges? tion, for their benefit and for ours. unmarried mothers and high school “American exceptionalism” has All the complex factors that make us drop-outs are seen as embarrassments to been real—reflected in John Win- who we are, are what Americans sim- their families, or they are not. Religious throp’s vision of a “city on a hill,” in plistically think of as “education,” with leaders and important community Tocqueville’s portrayal of our unique the child widely seen as a passive recipi- figures praise sustained, self-disciplined communal spirit of mutual assistance, ent of what a teacher drops into an effort toward long term goals, or they do in our unparalleled philanthropic tradi- outstretched hand. Crucially important not. And lo and behold! A child emerges tions, in our culture of risk-taking and parental cultural influences from birth from adolescence ready for a productive, innovation, in magnificent national through age three are widely ignored. fulfilling life, or does not. gestures like the Marshall Plan, in our Our educational establishment’s hyper- What next, college? The Department world-leading universities and research sensitivity to charges of “blaming the of Education reports that more than institutes that produce our continuing victim” (e.g. William Ryan vs. Daniel 500,000 American students who want to dominance of Nobel prizes; and it can Patrick Moynihan) encourages us to go to college have no access to Algebra continue if we will it. Until recently, we ignore or minimize such home influ- II classes; more than two million would- led the world in social mobility, in the ences, along with the later ones of peer be college students have no access to quality of our free public education, pressure, community values and role Calculus classes. And as the cost of col- in the optimism and self-confidence of model examples of family members lege rises, public support for it wanes. our public and our trust in our institu- and neighbors. Our education problems are serious. tions; and these can be regained. One notable exception, Nobel Laure- Many on the Left refuse to acknowl- To do so, we must re-orient current ate James Heckman, writes, “If I am edge that teaching should be a high- public discourse which, sadly influenced born to educated, supportive parents, skill, high entry level profession; many by ideologically-driven foundations my chances of doing well are totally on the Right, to save taxpayers’ money, and their think tanks, sees “govern- different than if I were born to a single attack Pell Grants, scholarships and ment” as an impediment, “taxes” as parent or abusive parents.” Extend that student loans, not realizing that in do- an unjustified imposition, unlimited differential to the child of a semi-literate, ing so we are “eating our seed corn.” political “contributions” justifiable as traumatized and emotionally withdrawn Yet “advocates for the children” are free speech, unregulated free markets 14 year old single mother vs. the child virtually silent. as the ideal economic vehicle and great of two well-educated parents who from Do schools help? Of course, espe- socio-economic disparity as the neces- birth talk, sing and read to their child. cially those with great teaching—but we sary Darwinian side-effect of a dynamic Imagine both children entering the forget that “teaching” is what someone society. In all these areas, reasoned dis- same school in the same class. If the does at a chalkboard, while “learning” cussion rather than acrimonious polemic children react differently to the school is what takes place in the head of the should prevail, and thoughtful political experience, it is common today to blame child, a process vastly more complex compromise should be seen as reflecting the school, although studies show one- than we acknowledge. prudence rather than cowardliness. third of the later “achievement gap” We are all creatures of habit, subject In reviewing American standings is present at the start of the first grade. to the influence of those around us. In- in contrast to the rest of the developed (All studies show that children raised in culcating life-enhancing values and hab- world, three areas in particular cry out a home with two biological parents do its and exposing children to constructive for fresh thinking: 1) personal develop- better in school and in life.) role models are continuing challenges. ment (schooling and vocational training, As children age, some parents express McGuffey’s Readers, the Autobiography along with psychological preparation for high expectations, praise achievement, of Benjamin Franklin, the mythic stories

VSOTD.COM 029 of George Washington and the cherry Nobel laureate Edmund Phelps’ can application of technology to crime tree or Abe Lincoln learning to write important book, Rewarding Work, dis- prevention (primarily the inspired work with charcoal on a shovel helped form cusses employment as a chief source of of New York’s Jack Maples’ and Bill American values of the past. What are an individual’s personal and intellectual Bratton’s CompStat, implementing our equivalents today? development, a potential source of pride James Q. Wilson’s “broken windows” Every nation has some dysfunctional (Thorsten Veblen’s instinct of workman- theory) has increased police efficiency segment of its population “out of the ship) and of self-esteem (Ralph Waldo significantly but with unforeseen social mainstream.” British physician Theo- Emerson’s self-reliance). Providing jobs ramifications. dore Dalrymple’s important book Life (for earning one’s way) vs. providing Put these two factors together and at the Bottom portrays those in England benefits (in a culture of dependency) the following facts evolve: A) arrests for whose economic poverty is relative, not is a major challenge, especially for the marijuana possession in New York went absolute, but whose mental, cultural, “working poor” who deserve encour- from fewer than 5,000 in 1993 to over and spiritual impoverishment is a charge agement and help. “Producers” have a 50,000 in 1999; arrests for gambling and against their society. Their nihilism, different mindset than “dependents.” If prostitution remained unchanged. B) self-destructive patterns of behavior and we provide employment opportunities Marijuana use, studies show, is signifi- social pathologies reflect a mindset in for those ready, able and willing to work, cantly higher among whites than among which they see themselves as helpless we can recall that our Founding Fathers blacks, and much higher for whites victims of circumstance, with no feeling felt responsible not for our “happiness” than Latinos. C) Blacks, who comprise of personal responsibility. Living in an but for our “pursuit of happiness.” 28 percent of New York’s population, eternal present with no sense of the B) Prison Incarceration account for 52 percent of the city’s future, they not only deride schooling for America has 5 percent of the misdemeanor marijuana arrests, with themselves, but attack those who seek it. world’s population and nearly one non-black Latinos accounting for 31 Babies for some of Dalrymple’s dys- quarter of its prison inmates. Germany, percent of arrests. Whites, with 35 per- functional teenage girls are like pets for by contrast, has 93 people in prison per cent of the population, had fewer than amusement or vehicles for their sense of 100,000 of population, while America 10 percent of marijuana arrests in the self-importance or an economic “meal has eight times that rate, or 750 in jail years 2004 to 2008. ticket.” Many other teenage single per 100,000. Yet no one feels safer One conclusion obvious to a grow- mothers, Dalrymple recounts, want to in Chicago or Boston than in Berlin ing number of observers is to call for be good parents but don’t know how; or Frankfurt. Furthermore, over half the legalization—but high taxation—of they don’t understand the difference those in New York State prisons are marijuana, a substance all studies show between “taking care” of a child and recidivists—back again after we have to be no more harmful than tobacco “raising” a child. had a chance to “enter their lives.” or alcohol. (Sixteen states have legal- Dalrymple despairs of Britain’s abil- The American criminal justice system ized marijuana for medical use, and ity or will to solve these problems. In the clearly needs rethinking about those we over a dozen more have such legislation 21st century, America must resolve to arrest and about what happens to those pending.) Nationally and internationally face our similar social and cultural prob- imprisoned. The Collapse of Ameri- (Mexico being a prime example), the lems, to deal resolutely with them and to can Criminal Justice, by Harvard Law War On Drugs as presently conducted solve them. Appropriate education is a School Professor William Stuntz, pro- has been a failure, and it must be recon- crucial first step—pragmatic experience vides a good overview of our problem. sidered from all standpoints. shows that education is not a consum- To begin with, we must understand Another conclusion, since data does able that “costs,” but a matchless invest- that the same well-intentioned mindset show that marijuana arrests do indeed ment that “pays,” not a zero-sum game that dealt with alcoholism by instituting relate well to catching violent criminals, of taking from Peter to benefit Paul but Prohibition (1920-1933)—with its crimi- is to encourage serious, constructive a positive-sum game in which everyone nal aftermath—conjured up our badly dialogue on “stop and frisk” and similar wins from a better educated public. thought out and ineptly implemented controversial matters between the police There will always be differentials of War On Drugs—with its unintended and the inner city community, which achievement because of varying levels but destructive consequences. In one of is more afflicted by violent crime than of ability, imagination, energy, ambi- life’s great ironies, certified liberals like other areas, with staggering “black on tion and effort. In the society we seek, Joe Biden, Rahm Emanuel and Eric black” homicide rates. Insensitivity however, one in which everyone can Holder have endorsed incarceration by some over-zealous (and sometimes read, write and count, and all are ex- practices that have devastated our inner racist) police and hypersensitivity by posed to as much formal education and cities—more than half of all black men some in the inner city are an explosive vocational training as they can absorb, without a high school diploma go to combination. productive and fulfilling careers can and prison at some time in their lives. Some paranoid intellectuals (e.g. should be available to all. Second, the quintessentially Ameri- Michelle Alexander in The New Jim

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Crow) see the whole criminal justice “Best practices” in criminal justice weapons like those used in promi- system merely as a vehicle to op- internationally treat drug use as a nent recent mass murders; and this press blacks; they make little effort public health problem, with free is reflected in our homicide rates to understand the problems of the detoxification programs for addicts; which, though recently declining, are police or to seek constructive solu- drug sale is treated as a serious crimi- still “off the scale.” Ownership of tions, such as more effective “com- nal problem. First offenders are seg- hand guns and automatic weapons munity policing.” Public safety, on the regated from hardened criminals and is largely a “non-issue” in American one hand, and proper respect for the are taught (if necessary) to read, write life. Our Constitution protects “the public, on the other, are each impor- and count before release. Vocational right to bear arms” just as it does tant “rights.” That is why the ancient training as auto mechanics, pastry “free speech.” Libel, slander and Greeks defined tragedy as “the con- chefs, refrigeration and air condition- shouting “fire” falsely in a crowded flict between two rights.” Those who ing repair personnel, etc. is provided. theater are prohibited, however, and decry the use of metal detectors in The remarkable rate in Nordic coun- so should be brandishing a loaded schools, for example, must reflect on tries in successfully rebuilding lives submachine gun. the impact of lethal hand guns and and in turning dysfunctional addicts After the assassinations of John F. switch blade knives in those schools. into productive citizens is impressive. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and The recent widely-publicized issue The financial return to any society Bobby Kennedy, and the shooting of of Afrika Owes and Central Harlem’s on investment in “human capital” for Ronald Reagan and Gabrielle Gif- 137th Street Gang is a profoundly first offenders is immense—for the fords, it is hard to believe that some thought-provoking example of the former prisoner (whose life is turned states (such as Alaska, Arizona, Ver- breakdown of real world, effective around), for the taxpayer (fewer ex- mont and Wyoming) require no per- communication between the inner penditures, more receipts) and for the mit at all to harbor a hidden weapon. city and the police. Fact A) after the public (reduced crime). Thanks, National Rifle Association. arrest and conviction of the 137th Many excellent studies have made C) Immigration Street Gang, homicides in the police practical, constructive recommenda- A country that calls itself “a nation precinct dropped from 11 to one, yes, tions for U.S. reforms. Decriminaliz- of immigrants” is hard-pressed to ad- from 11 to one in a year. Fact B) Afri- ing marijuana possession heads most dress calmly and rationally a subject ka Owes, the moll of the gang leader, lists, followed by: converting drug with such emotional baggage. was recorded on her cell phone possession crimes to misdemeanors On the one hand, we forget the planning to bring guns into Rikers or civil penalties (e.g. California in “No Irish Need Apply” signs, the Island and told to “shoot to kill” if 2010, Kentucky in 2011); limiting restrictive covenants against Jews, stopped. Fact C) well-known leaders pre-trial detention to those who pose the Chinese Exclusion Act, etc.—all in the Harlem community rose to high threats to public safety; eliminat- aimed at people whose children and her defense; the Abyssinian Baptist ing mandatory minimum sentences; grandchildren became full-fledged, Church posted her $50,000 bail; and reclassifying low level felonies to productive citizens. (The current Congressman Charles Rangel spoke misdemeanors; and total rethinking governor of Maine, a Republican on her behalf, saying, “Anyone can of parole practices. leading the battle against immigra- make a mistake.” Fact D) nowhere in No society wants to encourage tion, is a direct descendent of French the local press was there any com- drug addiction, but no society wants Canadians whose entry into America ment on the viciously destructive role the appalling impact of violent and was fiercely opposed by his prede- of the 137th Street Gang in the life corrupting drug cartels or drugs’ cessors.) On the other hand, today’s of Central Harlem. The police and devastating impact on the lives of the immigrants are seen by some as the courts were universally cast as the poorest. The presidents of Guate- competitors for jobs or as expensive “heavies” for doing their job in pro- mala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and public charges. tecting the public. In public discus- other Latin American countries have Emma Lazarus’ verse inscribed on sions it is as if one side speaks Urdu pleaded with the U.S. to rethink its the base of the Statue of Liberty was and the other side Esperanto, with drug laws, and they are right. written in 1883, when the tired, poor little mutual understanding. (A more The U.S. rate of homicide and of “huddled masses yearning to breathe promising sign was the recent arrest gun ownership are other scandals. free” were welcomed as cheap labor of a narcotics gang working out of a Gun lobbyists have made certain for an expanding economy. Frederick West 132nd Street Harlem furniture that these issues receive little objec- Jackson Turner’s “frontier thesis” was store—on complaints from neighbors. tive public attention or discussion. put forth in 1893, when the West, The creation of the Brooklyn Black Guns are more easily available in the still open to settlement, was the home Clergy—NYPD Task Force on Crime U.S. than anywhere else in the world, of rugged individualism, personal is another.) including hand guns and automatic initiative and personal responsibil-

VSOTD.COM 031 ity. Today, the American taxpayer is ing for educational expenses of our als whose achievements are national increasingly reluctant to pay even for WWII veterans (the best investment treasures. How to identify, encourage increased educational opportunities was the Louisiana Purchase and the and reward such greatness, while pro- or social uplift for the deprived in the second best the purchase of Alaska). viding opportunity for all, is a continu- “hollows” of our rural South or our Case studies of the lifetime earnings ing challenge. Northern inner cities, let alone pay and lifetime income tax payments of America today is at a major inflec- for services to immigrants. The time identical twins, one of whom went tion point, as it faces a changing world has come for us to ask, “Which of to school on the G.I. Bill and the beyond our borders and complex new the seven billion people beyond our other of whom did not, show a large factors at home. The more wisely borders should we admit to U.S. citi- return to the government on the we set our national goals; the more zenship—and for whose well-being funds invested. prudently we allocate our resourc- should we accept responsibility”? There may be a better formula for es—human and material; the more Sealing our now-porous borders achieving national well-being than by effectively our political system adjusts seems a “no-brainer.” Encouraging enhancing the “human capital” and to our emerging challenges at home the entry of immigrants we want and “social capital” of all its citizens; but if and abroad, the brighter that future facing frankly the challenge of the so, it is a closely guarded secret. will be. eleven million-plus undocumented im- Conclusion: The difficult choices we must migrants already here are others. America of the future will be what make require more thoughtful, For the undocumented, those who we make it. measured considerations than we unlawfully entered the country, prag- We can choose to go the route of are devoting to them. Our transi- matism, common sense and a realiza- recent failed societies—self-indulgent, tion from creditor to debtor na- tion of the profound social upheaval ignoring future rewards for present tion and from budget surpluses to attendant on any other solution would benefits, demanding more from the massive deficits will force prudence seem to lead to a logical conclusion: economy than it can afford, treating on us. For example, our public must granting some form of amnesty, tax evasion as a great game (distin- demand from our legislators some mandatory registration of aliens, and guishing public from private morality), commonsense balance—between the a procedure by which undocumented focusing on narrow self-interest rather unrealistic profligacy of a California persons living here productively for than on the common good, with the and the stingy backwardness of a a certain number of years—avoid- richest and most powerful “gaming Mississippi. ing serious crime, paying taxes and the system” for their own benefit. In an increasingly complex world, not becoming public charges—could Or, with renewed acceptance of less government is probably not become legal citizens, with (hopefully) our traditional “social contract,” feasible; but more transparent, more educated, upwardly mobile children. we can revert to an appropriately efficient and more publicly respon- “Bad eggs” could be deported. modified version of America’s sive government certainly is, if not Thereafter, immigration could historic ethos—one that values hard corrupted by the legal bribery of be limited to individuals meeting work and savings, character and improper political “contributions.” appropriate standards of education competence; that willingly sacrifices Our hope must lie with the and skills, or with vocational abilities luxuries today for a better life for Internet Generation, those young of value to the U.S. And, impor- our children tomorrow; that is proud people who will one day pay the bills tantly, severe penalties should then of contributing to the common good acquired when we cut taxes as we be imposed on employers of future and that has trust in the integrity increased military spending, stopped undocumenteds. of our institutions and our leaders. investing in infrastructure and prom- Undocumented immigrants reflect That ethos sees universal education ised government workers pensions a large percentage of adults in Ameri- as the vehicle for general upward we cannot afford. Opinion polls say ca not possessing a high school educa- mobility, with “need-blind” admis- the young understand better than we tion, with little command of English sion as a goal. “And, yes,” Americans do that productive free markets must and with major handicaps to their have traditionally thought, “I am my work along with government, that advancement. It is clearly in the best brother’s keeper!” our political institutions must regain interests of the American public, as Equality and excellence are not public confidence, that taxation must well as of the undocumented, to help mutually exclusive, and a healthy be rationally apportioned, that we them become full-fledged, productive society reflects both. Equal access to are not only heirs of the past but members of society. public goods—education and health, stewards of the future. The third best financial invest- museums and libraries, parks and The young are our “stewards of the ment ever made by the United States playgrounds—does not require neglect future,” and our hopes are with them. government was the G.I. Bill, provid- of the needs of outstanding individu-

CICERO 2013 032 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS WINNER: PUBLIC POLICY & SERVICE INDUSTRY CATEGORIES “Rethinking the American Dream: Post-Secondary Education in the U.S.”

Writer: Patricia Thull Delivered at: Denver, Colo., Feb. 3, 2012 Speaker: Carl Camden, CEO, Kelly Services Inc.

come to this topic with particular and starving our economic progress. tainment and workforce planning to I passion. I spent many years on It’s a complex challenge. The very respond to the real-world needs of public assistance and food stamps nature of work itself is changing… employers and students… while growing up, and I was the first and in the knowledge economy, the • And finally, we need to hold post- in my family to go to college. Thanks highest-demand jobs often have the secondary institutions accountable to financial incentives, I was able to shortest shelf life…. as any unem- to their investors: namely, taxpayers, complete my undergraduate, masters, ployed NASA engineer would tell government, and students. and PhD with only $2,600 in debt … you. American workers will need to Each of these will require innova- and with tax season approaching, I’m rethink their jobs, and reinvent their tion, speed, and efficiency…traits once again reminded of the superb re- careers, time and again. This constant we haven’t normally associated with turn the government is reaping on its churn in the labor market has led us to America’s post-secondary environment. investment. I became a tenured pro- acknowledge that the social contract The first step is fundamental: We fessor and a department chair before between employers and employees have to let go of our idealized version leaving to join the corporate world, has been irrevocably broken. But the of the American college experience, and I still have a deep and personal conversation we’re not having, is that and forge a realistic path for all 21st passion for higher education. the social contract between post- century students. What I’m seeing now … as I listen secondary institutions and our society This isn’t easy. As a country, we’re to political discourse, analyze labor is also broken. loath to relinquish, or even re-exam- market trends, and talk with various It’s an uncomfortable but undeni- ine, the American Dream—and for think tanks and CEOs…is that the able truth. When the majority of the past 60 years or so, that dream has disparity between the skills America students do not complete a degree… included hard-working parents send- needs, and the skills our workers pos- that’s a broken system. When the ma- ing bright-eyed teenagers off to 4-year sess, has never been sharper or more jority of students leave with more debt universities to become well-regarded polarizing. The pressure to create than they can repay … that’s a broken scholars and well-rounded citizens. jobs—and the arguments over whose system. When government, taxpayers, They live in perpetually messy dorm job it is to create them—consumes and businesses are putting money into rooms on beautiful, sprawling campus- our public discourse and will help the system, and can’t get the necessary es … go to frat parties on Friday and determine our next President. With work and workers out of the system…. football games on Saturday...fill lecture more than 9 million people unem- that system is broken. halls to hear world-class, tenured ployed…(an extremely conservative Just as companies and employees professors … build lifelong friendships number…the Fed Reserve would put have been forced to keep up with the over cold beer and Raman noodles it at 14 to 15 million people)…. more pace of change in a global economy, … come back home to Mom & Dad than two million jobs are still going so too must post-secondary education. every summer … and after four long unfilled by companies who say they It’s an urgent challenge that demands years of self-discovery, they graduate, can’t find qualified applicants. This an urgent and collective response. start a full-time job, and become pro- mismatch in supply and demand No one pillar—education, business, ductive members of American society. has maddened the long-term unem- government, citizens—can achieve the Our university system—widely ac- ployed, stymied skilled recruiters, and necessary results alone. Together, we knowledged as the best in the world— frustrated strategic planners at com- face a three-pronged challenge: was built on this dream. But it really panies around the world. It has also • First, we must create a clear, is just that—a dream. 75 percent of galvanized debate about post-sec- achievable path for all post-secondary today’s post-secondary students are ondary education in the U.S.—more students of the 21st century—whether commuters. Half attend community precisely, how our failure to produce they attend college or not… colleges, where most of them work at enough STEM graduates and skilled • Second, we need to create align- least 20 hours a week, and 1 out of 4 technicians is feeding the mismatch ment between post-secondary at- has a dependent child. They choose

VSOTD.COM 033 their school because it’s near work, fits There’s no shortage of good ideas, system that meets the real-world needs their schedule, and is affordable—not but we need to be replicating these of employers and students. because it’s top-ranked academically innovations on a broader scale. In ad- Here’s where the talent mis- or offers a great student experience. dition to block schedules, we should be match—and the shortage of STEM Their classrooms include unemployed accelerating the educational process competencies—come sharply into welders, laid-off bank tellers, single across the board … allowing students focus. Even as demand for STEM moms, and 50- and 20-somethings to pursue degrees and certificates workers has accelerated, supply of side by side. with shorter academic terms, less time STEM graduates in the U.S. has stag- Many of them aren’t even attempt- off between terms, and year-round nated. We now rank 27th among the ing a four-year degree, and have their scheduling. Online courses can slash 42 developed nations in the propor- sights set on a two-year associate’s the amount of time students need tion of students with undergraduate degree instead. 80 percent of them to be on campus. Placement exams degrees in science and engineering. still won’t have that associate’s degree that award credits when entering a In fact, we graduate more visual and in 3 years. And if they’re more than program—and tests that let students performing arts majors than we do 25 years old, their odds of graduating move on once they’ve demonstrated engineers. It’s little wonder, then, that drop to 1 in 20. competency—can cut completion some companies have thousands of Sobering statistics. And they only time and boost graduation rates. open engineering jobs in the U.S. that tell part of the story. The 40 percent Dual-credit programs that let high they can’t fill … or that other coun- of students who attend part-time school students graduate with college tries like Japan, where one-third of aren’t even counted in official govern- credits or an apprenticeship, can move the employees are engineers, provide ment statistics and are missing from them closer to employability, faster. a tempting talent pool. most reform discussions. Yet those Programs scattered throughout the The manufacturing sector provides students are even more likely to be country are proving that when we ap- a telltale window into this growing juggling competing priorities … and ply innovative, disruptive approaches skills mismatch and the challenge as part-time students, their odds of to post-secondary education, we can it poses for the U.S. economy. After graduating slip every single year. move the needle on completion rates shedding 2 million jobs during the These abysmal completion rates in a meaningful way. recession, manufacturing lost its luster are the high price we pay for clinging It’s an important needle to move to prospective employees. Yet Deloitte to outdated ideals about college life in now. By 2018, two-thirds of the na- ran a study in 2011 that showed, even America. The number one reason stu- tion’s jobs will require some form of with stubbornly high unemployment, dents give for leaving higher ed—and postsecondary education or training. there were 600,000 well-paying manu- their number one reason for not going Not everyone will need a 4-year de- facturing jobs unfilled in the U.S. It’s back once they leave—is the “need to gree. But the data show that associ- a scenario that’s playing out across the work and make money.” We are long ate degrees, bachelor degrees, and country, even in areas hard-hit by the overdue for a system that reflects that certificates that are cost-effective and recession. I was at a meeting recently reality. We can’t keep asking 40-year- have value in the workforce will all in Michigan where an auto parts sup- old unemployed people with kids be critical to meeting future work- plier shared that he has 25 jobs open and a mortgage to spend 4-6 years force needs. that pay more than $125,000 … not pursuing a degree they’ll probably That key phrase—“value in the for a degreed engineer, but simply never complete. Today’s students need workforce”—brings me to my second someone who is a very skilled techni- programs that offer much faster, more point. Not only do we have too few cian. He can’t fill those jobs. Our post- flexible tracks to success…. tracks that people completing post-secondary secondary system simply isn’t produc- can be completed in weeks or months, education … we have too few gradu- ing enough qualified people. not years. ates entering the workforce with skills In fact, 83 percent of companies There are promising examples of that are in demand. Left unchecked, indicate an immediate shortage of innovative programs that are adapt- this will perpetuate the talent mis- skilled workers (machinists, opera- ing post-secondary education to the match and high unemployment amidst tors, technicians, and so on). Most working student. In some programs, millions of job openings. companies expect this shortage to students enroll in entire academic That’s why, even as we tackle the worsen … and they know that with- programs rather than juggling a challenge of increasing post-secondary out access to the right talent, their disorganized schedule of individual completion rates, we need to acknowl- ability to innovate and grow market classes. In others, students attend edge that not all degrees are created share are at risk. Many of my larg- from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday equal. We must forge better alignment est clients are giving up hope that through Friday…. letting them hold between post-secondary attainment the American system will produce down jobs in the evenings. and workforce planning, to create a the workers they need … so we’re

CICERO 2013 034 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS talking to them about where to move heads, forecasts were thrown out the ondary institutions. Students should the work, and which countries can window, and leadership teams were be able to see every program’s tuition, provide access to the qualified talent dismantled. Adaptability became an graduation rates, and job placement they can’t find here. It’s not about pay imperative, not a nice to have. Some- outcomes so they can make more differentials anymore … it’s about how, post-secondary education has informed decisions at the front end… skill differentials. been granted an exemption from the and we should be willing to shut There are examples where indus- revolution that is raging all around it. down state institutions that don’t have try and education are beginning to In fact, it has a decisive role to play an adequate completion rate or an get it right … by aligning specific in whether that revolution propels us adequate job acquirement rate. skill sets with post-secondary cur- forward, or buries us deeper. U.S. tax- • Third, we must demand more riculum. The National Association of payers, students, and the businesses adaptive and responsive curriculum. Manufacturers has created standard- and local governments that partner There are hundreds of examples of ized training and tests to upskill the with education, are the shareholders effective partnerships, but many more manufacturing workforce, without in America’s public education institu- where no partnership exists, or busi- expecting them to return to school tions … and it’s time we held those ness’s efforts are actively thwarted by for a bachelor’s degree. We know that institutions accountable. an outdated educational system that programs like that can work. The key The stakes are simply too high to refuses to yield to the present reality. is smart, innovative partnerships be- think otherwise. Student loan debt In today’s pace of business, it is simply tween business and education … and now tops a trillion dollars (and since not feasible to expect companies and a commitment from universities and 60 percent of people who start col- prospective employees to wait years for community colleges to become more lege don’t finish, that includes a lot a college to enact programs for which responsive and flexible. of people who owe money for classes there is a deep and immediate need. Just as we can’t expect a 40-year- that never generated a degree). U.S. McKinsey recently completed a old to go back to college for 4 years, businesses invest almost $500 billion productivity study that’s a good step we can’t expect business to stand still each year in education and workforce in the right direction for accountabil- while academia haggles over syllabi training. McKinsey estimates the ity…providing data to support how a and teaching methods. We need to U.S. will need to produce one million more rigorous, results-based ap- accelerate our retraining programs, more graduates per year by 2020 to proach can improve post-secondary so that it takes months—not years— ensure it can meet employer demand education without raising budgets or to develop and implement 21st for skilled professionals. lowering quality. That’s the kind of century curriculum that meets the The linkages between U.S. job return on investment that America’s demands of the labor market. Effec- growth, economic vitality, and post- workers, businesses, and the economy tive alliances between business and secondary education are undeni- deserve, and must demand. post-secondary ed will be critical to able and inextricable. So what does (Pause) developing real-world programs that accountability look like in practice? We are long overdue in ac- produce workers the labor market It’s not easy to pin down, but I think knowledging that “college for all” can actually put to work. three guiding principles are key: is not a sound education strategy, (Pause) • First, we need to give differen- and accepting that a 4-year degree Even as post-secondary education tial support for STEM education… program is not the answer for most evolves to meet the changing needs of forgiving loans, creating internships, high school graduates. To move its students and their future employ- providing extra funding…to incent the economy forward, American ers, there is a more fundamental shift students to choose, and then com- employers need ready access to the that needs to occur…which brings plete, STEM-related degrees and cer- most highly educated workforce in me to my third and final point: We tificates. Other countries do this with the world…and it’s time we recom- must hold post-secondary institutions great success. Everyone has the right mit to ensuring that workforce can accountable to their investors: the to get whatever degree you want; but be found on our own shores. Our taxpayers, businesses, and students. if you’re getting a degree that has post-secondary education has long There’s good reason that “ac- been judged to be in the national been prized the world over for foster- countability” is a top buzzword in the interest, and the taxpayers are provid- ing innovation and solving some of business world…and that CEO ten- ing support for that degree, then the the world’s toughest problems. It’s ure has declined sharply over the past government has the right to say “we time we apply that same innovation 5 years. Most corporate boards and will provide differential support.” to the education system itself…and investors demanded swift, decisive • Second, along with differential in doing so, create new options and action during the recession. Busi- incentives for students….we need opportunities worthy of the 21st- ness strategies were turned on their differential consequences for post-sec- century American dream.

VSOTD.COM 035 WINNER: TRANSPORTATION CATEGORY “The Auto Industry: Architects of the Future”

Writer: Lora Jones Delivered at: Motor Press Guild Event, Speaker: Jim Lentz Los Angeles, Calif., Nov. 28, 2012

ood morning everyone! • Unemployment dropped to a three- It’s good to see such a strong presence GAnd thank you for this opportunity and-a-half year low… from automakers… and the best news is to tell you why I am so PROUD to be a • Consumer Confidence jumped to a that consumers benefit from the many part of this great industry! 5-year high... choices available to suit their needs. …. • And, the housing market seems to be …. From its humble beginnings over turning the corner. Okay... but what about further out? 125 years ago… to becoming the largest Fueled by these positive economic What’s in store for us in the long-term manufacturing sector in the nation… the trends, the auto industry is gaining mo- future? auto industry has done PRETTY well for mentum. Well, our industry has shown in the itself. And, in the process has continuous- For the total U.S. market… our an- past that what we do MATTERS. The ly helped shape America and its future. nual sales forecast for 2012 is at 14.3 mil- Big Three… Cayley, Hetrick and Ander- Now, when it comes to our industry… lion vehicles… or possibly a little higher son have proven that. names like Henry Ford… Lee Iacocca… … an increase of about a million and a And seeing the displays here at the and Carroll Shelby… are widely known. half over 2011. auto show proves automakers are step- But what about George Cayley? John And the forecast ahead looks even ping up their game and developing ad- Hetrick? or Mary Anderson? better. Analysts predict sales will reach 16 vanced technologies to meet future needs To be honest … I hadn’t heard of million again in just a few years. of both consumers and society. them either until we started researching Now, there is data to back up their In fact, the Alliance of Automobile for this speech. But now… I’ve nick- optimism. Manufacturers said… our industry named THEM the ‘Big Three’… be- First… there’s pent up demand. In traditionally ranks at the top of research cause even though they’re not household the U.S., there are more than 245 million and development investments for ALL names… their work affects nearly every cars on the road, and the average age of industries, including computers and person around the globe. these vehicles have hit a record high of pharmaceuticals. • George Cayley invented safety belts… 11 years old. Over And, these investments are already • John Hetrick developed safety cush- 20-percent of these cars are over 16 becoming a reality and creating a new ions or what we now call air bags… years old. world for consumers. • And Mary Anderson created the Second… historically… car loans …. very first windshield wipers. have NEVER been cheaper. Banks are So what will our NEW world be like? The point is … they changed the charging the lowest interest rates since Well, I’d like to say it will be similar future of the auto industry and had a the Federal Reserve began its survey of to the Jetsons with flying cars to get positive affect on our everyday lives. loans… more than FOUR decades ago. us around. But… that’s probably a bit And today … ALL automakers are Third…and the best news… the ambitious. doing the same … creating great things J.D. Power’s Information Network says We will, however, see new types that will have a major impact on our younger buyers have returned to the mar- of mobility… cleaner more efficient industry … our society … and our future. ket at a higher rate than any other age vehicles… and safer cars. But before I delve into what we can category… which bodes well for market Let’s take a deeper dive into each expect in the next decade and beyond… longevity. one. let’s talk about what’s happening with our …. First… new types of mobility. economy and industry today and what So, there are a lot of positives help- From car sharing to connected cars forces are in play. ing drive optimism and sales… and to autonomous vehicles… consumers …. all automakers are showing revitalized will have several choices when it comes To start, the U.S. economy grew two- momentum. to their transportation needs. percent in the third quarter. For proof… just look at all the great You know car sharing actually started This is attributed largely to consumers new products on display here at the LA back in the 1960’s and 70’s in Europe. feeling better about their finances… Auto Show. It took awhile… but in 1994… the

CICERO 2013 036 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS first successful U.S., car share program tions could possibly be when you raise These days… many manufacturers started in Portland, Oregon. your hand… the radio volume goes offer a pre-collision system… lane keep- And… car sharing continues to up… when you drop your hand… the ing… and automatic parking. grow. According to the University of volume goes down. For example… the new 2013 Lexus California Berkley… there are now 25 This could potentially work in con- LS offers the industry’s most advanced car sharing programs in the U.S. with junction with voice recognition which pre-collision active safety system. It’s nearly 720,000 members, sharing over sometimes can be hindered by accents designed to assist the driver in avoiding 9,800 vehicles. or mispronunciations. Hand gestures are or mitigating collisions with vehicles and You can now find car sharing in most pretty universal. pedestrians under a wide range of city large and mid-sized cities… and on I’ll wait for a few seconds while you and highway speeds, day… or night. hundreds of University campuses. insert your own punch line. Now… Toyota’s view of autono- This is a great way to make cars …. mous technology may differ from others. more accessible to low-income house- So, from the conceptual to the con- We believe the driver must ALWAYS holds and to those who don’t have a crete… a skateboard is leading the way. be engaged… and this technology must regular need for a car. And, as our coun- Now, at Toyota… we’re also going be introduced slowly due to major legal, try’ population increases, car sharing will beyond hand gestures. Back in Septem- regulatory and consumer hurdles that help reduce congestion and pollution. ber… our Smart INSECT vehicle made need to be made. …. its debut in Japan. I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot more Okay… what about connected cars? The INSECT is our next-generation about autonomous cars in the near Today… customers have a multitude communications-linked concept model future. of choices to stay safely and seamlessly that supports the driver and keeps them …. connected to the outside world… from connected to his or her home. These are just a few examples of the inside their car. It’s an ultra-compact, single-pas- many types of mobility automakers are Nearly every manufacturer has its senger electric vehicle that’s equipped creating for a better tomorrow. own version. Ford offers SYNC… GM with a bevy of technologies like motion Our industry is also developing has OnStar… and Toyota has Entune sensors, voice recognition and behavior greener, more sustainable vehicles that and Lexus Enform. predictions. will make us less reliant on foreign oil. And as the trend increases to have Let me tell you a few fun things this Today in the U.S., there are nearly more access to things your smart- car can do. 300 fuel-efficient models to choose phone and tablets can do… the need It uses motion sensors and facial- from… including 40 hybrids… 33 clean to help minimize driver distraction recognition technology to detect and diesels… and a growing number of also increases. authenticate the driver registered as they plug-ins and pure electric vehicles… Every car maker is dealing with this approach the car. Once the car recog- that achieve 30 miles per gallon or more. situation. At Toyota… one of our many nizes the driver, it flashes its front lights. That’s up by an incredible 330-percent approaches is using a skateboard. Then, detecting the driver’s hand in JUST six years. Now… I’m not saying people should gesture… the doors will open. And you can expect that number of travel by skateboard… but rather, we The driver is greeted via the instru- models to increase in the next few years can learn from one. Let me explain. ment panel… with a ‘Hello’ or any as all automakers launch cleaner, more Imagine a dashboard where there other phrase you chose. efficient vehicles. are no buttons to push… no screens to Now… through voice recognition a For Toyota… we’re taking a portfo- tap… and your eyes can remain focused ‘virtual agent’ will communicate with lio approach and offering a variety of on the road. Well… that’s exactly what the driver, set the destination and oper- choices, including plug-ins… electric Toyota is working on. ate various functions of the car like the vehicles… and in 2015… our first fuel The Board of Awesomeness… yes… audio system. cell hybrid. that’s what it’s called… is an electric This is sort of like our version of But, hybrid technology continues to skateboard that is run by hand gestures. Herbie the Love Bug… but highly up- be key for us. As a benefit of our partnership with dated and tricked out. We plan on launching 21 new or re- Microsoft… the board is equipped (pause) designed hybrids globally between now with a Windows 8 tablet and Windows We’ve also been hearing the term and the end of 2015, starting with the Kinect motion-sensing software. ‘autonomous car’ in the news a lot all-new Avalon hybrid which will arrive By raising and lowering your hand… lately… but this type of automated tech- at dealerships next month. like this… you control the throttle… and nology has been around for awhile with We’re also working on developing a the closer your hand gets to the board… features like anti-lock brakes and vehicle next-generation battery that we ex- the faster the motor goes. stability control... and the list continues pect to have one of the world’s highest One of the many real world applica- to grow with each new model year. performance levels… and we’re working

VSOTD.COM 037 on wireless battery charging technology their vehicles… so, they’re working on Currently, the center has a total of so there will be no more plugs to plug-in. a steering wheel that doesn’t shake or 26 different safety research projects Compound our efforts with the vibrate even while driving on a bumpy with 16 partners targeting our most technologies other manufacturers are road… and a vehicle that will swerve on vulnerable populations, teens, seniors, developing… and you start getting a its own to avoid a pedestrian stepping and pedestrians. picture of what cars in the future will out in front of the car. A few of the newer projects include: be like… and how different they will be Volvo announced that in 2014… it • Working with the University of than what’s on the road today. will offer a traffic-jam assistance system Iowa on how in-vehicle technologies …. allowing cars to automatically follow the like advanced driving assistance systems The third way our industry is im- car ahead of them in traffic… moving can help seniors with declining driving proving the lives of people and society as much as 30 miles per hour. abilities. overall is making cars safer. At Toyota… one idea we’re exploring • With the Children’s Hospital of One way we will do that is by is like Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak. Philadelphia Center for Child Injury overcoming a huge issue… distracted Many cars on the road today have a Prevention Studies, along with NHTSA driving. back-up camera with a display showing and the Chalmers SAFER project… Last year, one-in-six highway deaths what’s behind you when you’re in re- to study mild traumatic brain injury in were attributed to distracted driving. verse. But… it’s still hard to be absolute- adolescents… which is the most com- One in six! ly sure you’re not going to hit something mon injury to children in car crashes. Consumers are accustomed to con- or someone. • And… with the University of necting any time… anywhere. And ... So, researchers from Keio University Michigan Transportation Research they want that same ability in their cars. in Japan have developed an optical- Institute to conduct what we believe That’s why nearly every State has camouflage technology making the back to be the most comprehensive driver some type of cell phone and texting seat seem invisible... which would help distraction study to date, involving over laws. We have them eliminate blind spots. 5,500 teens and adults. Based on miles in California, but I bet when you This system was showcased in a ‘See- driven, teens are now four times more drove here today… you probably saw Through-Prius’ back in September at likely than other drivers to be involved someone talking or texting on their the Digital Content Expo in Tokyo. in a crash so, we want to develop ef- phone. How it works seems like magic… fective ways to help change dangerous So, the best thing we can do as an but the cloak is made of reflective ma- driving behaviors. industry is bring more awareness to this terials that captures footage from cam- In fact… yesterday we announced issue… and integrate and adapt in-car eras behind the car which then projects some of our preliminary findings. They technology to help minimize distracted the image onto the cloak visible to the range from: driving. driver. The illusion of invisibility is • Teens’ distracting behaviors are Our industry has done a great job amazing. related to their parents’ distracting banding together on this issue, but we One of the developers said it will behaviors… can… and will do more. feel like you’re driving a glass car. • Teens text while driving 26 times For instance… the Alliance of …. more than their parents think they Automobile Manufacturers partnered We’re also doing some other non- do… with the American Academy of magical work through our Collabora- • And, teens regularly drive with Orthopaedic Surgeons to launch… tive Safety Research Center. young passengers in their car with no ’Decide To Drive’… an interactive, The center is working with univer- adults…which is associated with dou- multi-media campaign highlight- sities, hospitals, research institutions bling of the driver’s risk of being killed ing the importance of hands on the and federal agencies on a variety of in a crash. And, the more passengers in wheel… eyes on the road. projects. Our goal is to develop new the car… the higher the risk becomes. This campaign has taught children safety technologies to help reduce the You’ll be hearing more over the next how to discourage their parents from number of traffic injuries and fatalities few months as we continue to analyze using handheld devices while driving… on our roads. the data and develop recommendations. and has brought awareness to drivers The best thing about this center As a father, one of the key takeaways themselves about the deadly risk of is that it focuses on research that will I got from the study is… you need to be texting while driving. benefit the ENTIRE industry rather the kind of driver you want your teen In addition, companies continue to than purely focusing on proprietary to be. develop other technologies that will help technologies. This way… ALL cars… Again, these results will be shared so make cars safer. no matter what brand… can be im- that we can all make important steps For instance… Nissan has a goal of proved in the future to help consumers to improve safety for consumers all having ‘virtually zero’ accidents with all around the world. around the world… no matter what

CICERO 2013 038 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS brand they choose. Toyota RAV4 in just a few minutes… that… we are part of an industry With us today are Dr. Ray Bingham and our newest Lexus coupe concept, that truly makes a difference… and from the Michigan research institute and the LF-CC… they’re both fantastic positively impacts peoples’ lives and Toyota’s principal investigator, Dr. Tina vehicles. society. Sayer. I’d encourage you to speak with But, bigger picture… when it We ARE architects of the future. them about this very important study. comes down to it… TOGETHER… We ARE creating a prototype …. we ARE a great industry. community of tomorrow with new Well, I hope you can see why I’m so 125 years have come and gone… advances in mobility and technologies PROUD to be a part of this industry! and the advancements we’ve made in for safer and greener days ahead. Look, there will always be some that time CANNOT be overstated. And… we ARE committed to healthy competition amongst auto- And, I know… those of the future will making the next 125 years better and makers… and that’s good. In fact… be EVEN better. brighter than EVER before. make sure you check out the all-new So… let’s all be proud of the fact Thank you.

WINNER: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CATEGORY “Together to a Healthier Future: Keynote Address to GBC Health Conference”

Writer: Luke Boggs Delivered to: GBC Health Conference, Speaker: Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO, New York City, N.Y., May 14, 2012 The Coca-Cola Company

hank you, Alison, and thank you all know-how. Our unique and specific and leveraging Golden Triangle Tso much for your welcome. strengths. partnerships. I’m honored to speak with a group And you are at the forefront of this At The Coca-Cola Company, we of people who share so enthusiastical- movement. know our business can only be as ly my belief in the power of business For Coca-Cola, this means fully strong and sustainable and healthy as to change this world—our world—for leveraging, for the public good, our the communities we serve. the better. expertise in, among other things, Our wellbeing, as a business, is Not in theory. marketing and distribution. wholly interwoven with the wellbe- Not in the distant future. Last Tuesday, Coca-Cola turned ing of our people, partners and But right now. 126 years young. communities. Each and every day. And, from the start, our company Today, one of the most profound Doing something extraordinary was known for innovation in market- threats to that wellbeing is over- in the ordinary course of doing ing and advertising. nutrition. business. Today, we stand on the shoulders Obesity, as you know, is a serious And I applaud and encourage you of generations of promotion giants. and complex global health concern. in that. Coca-Cola is also known for its It’s costly in monetary and human Given the scale and complexity global ubiquity. terms. And it has the power to un- of today’s health issues, it’s chal- In fact, for years, people have been dermine the wellbeing of individuals, lenging for one business or even one wondering: If Coca-Cola can reach families and communities. industry to make a material differ- the world’s most remote corners, Increases in global prosperity and ence on its own. could they help others do the same? food production are making more Instead, we must rely on partner- The short answer is yes. food more readily available to more ships that connect across what I call Today, I want to share some of people than ever. the Golden Triangle of business, what we’re doing—with our part- To maintain a healthy weight, government and civil society. ners—to address health challenges energy balance is critical—balancing Indeed, more and more companies including obesity, under-nutrition calories in with calories out. are finding that we have something and disease. And, in general, people are mov- more valuable than our dollars or yen And I do so not to puff up Coca- ing a lot less these days. or euros to contribute. Cola but to explain our particular Even as no single food or beverage And that’s our expertise. Our approach to creating shared value is responsible for obesity, we under-

VSOTD.COM 039 stand that all calories count, and mitment to choice than Coca-Cola In secondary schools, we of- we’re committed to being part of the Freestyle—a new fountain capable fer school authorities the choice of solution. of dispensing more than 100 of our waters, juices and other beverages, To this end, we’re using evidence- beverages, including sparkling drinks, including regular and low-calorie based science to guide the choices we waters, sports drinks and lemonades. options of Coca-Cola and all our offer and how we inform consumers Coca-Cola Freestyle features beverages. about those choices. 70-plus low or no-calorie options, Coca-Cola also promotes active, In fact, over the next five years, more than 90 caffeine-free choices healthy living among our associates, we’re investing more than $50 million and 80-plus brands not available fans and communities. dollars in this research. anywhere else. We now have 43 such programs We’re also investing in innovation And, if that’s not enough choice, in North America… 40 in Latin across sweeteners, products, packag- you can create your own combina- America… 71 in Europe… 79 in ing, equipment and marketing that tions of our drinks. Eurasia and Africa... and 18 across fosters active, healthy living. If you’re thirsty later, there are our Pacific group. One key priority, as you might nine Coca-Cola Freestyle locations By 2015, we’ll have active healthy imagine, is further developing natu- inside a mile from here, with the living programs in every country— ral, non-caloric sweeteners. closest just three blocks down Madi- 200-plus—where we operate. Already, we use stevia sweeteners son at the McDonald’s at 18 East Our programs include Street- in more than 30 products, including 42nd Street. Games, which uses sports to encour- vitaminwater zero. What can I say? I looked it up age positive behavior among teens in As of two months ago in France, on the Coca-Cola Freestyle Face- disadvantaged communities across we’re now using our stevia sweetener book page! Great Britain. to replace 30 percent of the calories We’re also innovating with packag- Over three years, we hope to reach in Sprite while maintaining the deli- ing choices. 110,000 young people. cious, refreshing flavor. In Sao Paulo, for example, we Coca-Cola is also a founding part- And we’re launching a limited test have 17 different packages of Coca- ner of Exercise is Medicine, a global here in the U.S., just reported this Cola alone. drive to urge doctors to encourage morning, of two new mid-calorie Our fans in the U.S., Australia, patients to exercise. sparkling beverages using a natural Korea and beyond really like our Along with the Philippines Basket- sweetener blend—Fanta Select and mini-can, which debuted in 2009. ball Association, we sponsor Coca- Sprite Select. At 7.5 ounces, the Coca-Cola Cola PBA Youngstars—a grassroots Choice is another way we’re help- mini-can offers delicious refreshment basketball program that shows ing consumers avoid over-nutrition. along with portion control and just Filipino teens just what we mean by Today, we offer more than 500 90 calories. active, healthy living. brands and 3500 beverages. To help consumers make informed Coca-Cola also believes in the That’s three times as many choices choices, we’re leading with transpar- power of premier sporting events to as a decade ago and ten times as ency in communicating calories. inspire active, healthy living, which is many as 20 years ago. We provide clear, detailed nutri- one reason for our longstanding part- Nearly 25 percent of our bever- tion information. nerships with the FIFA World Cup ages—more than 800—are low or Leading our industry, we became, and the Olympic Games. no-calorie. And 19 of our top 20 in 2009, the first beverage company For the 2012 London Games— brands either offer a low- or no- to make a global commitment to which begin in just 87 days—we’re calorie alternative or are themselves front-of-pack labeling on nearly all encouraging young people to live low- or no-calorie. our products by year-end 2011. And active, healthy lives with a campaign Moreover, we stand behind the we’ve followed through. that artfully blends music and sport quality and goodness of every single In addition, we’re committed to called “Move to the Beat.” product we make, starting with the responsible marketing. Take a look: original formula of Coca-Cola. This means not directly market- [“Move to the Beat” video: 60 Now, however, we offer 23 varia- ing to children under 12 and follow- seconds] tions of Coke… a Coke for every ing a global set of school beverage I don’t know about you, but that person, every lifestyle and every oc- guidelines. makes me want to get active—and casion: Coke, diet Coke, Coke Zero, In primary schools, our products I’m not exactly in the intended de- caffeine-free versions and flavors like are not available, unless requested mographic! Cherry Coke. by parents, caregivers or school We also use our beverage expertise Nothing better shows our com- authorities. to help with under-nutrition.

CICERO 2013 040 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS

For us, this dates to the 1960s, chance to achieve the first AIDS-free These projects not only have a when Coca-Cola worked to bridge generation of our time by virtually powerful direct health impact but the “protein gap” in impoverished eliminating mother-to-child HIV they also empower women, given the nations with three protein-rich transmission by 2015. time many women must spend car- beverages. The Coca-Cola system is also rying water —particularly in parts Today, we’re ramping up products working with The Global Fund, of Africa. with vitamins, minerals and other the Gates Foundation and the Yale Our worldwide Coca-Cola system beneficial ingredients. Health Leadership Institute to is also honored to contribute to the These include Del Valle Fresh—a increase access to vital medicines in health and wellbeing of communities fruit drink with calcium and vitamin Tanzania. in their most-desperate hours. D in Colombia… and Nutrijuice— Using our supply chain expertise, I’m speaking now of disaster re- which is helping kids overcome iron we’ve joined with Tanzania’s Medi- lief, and we’ve formed an important deficiencies in the Philippines. cal Stores Department to develop a Golden Triangle partnership with With Project Thrive, Coca-Cola new distribution strategy, redesign the International Federation of Red is developing a global fortified juice core processes, and train more than Cross/Red Crescent Societies. product to give schoolchildren 50 medical stores staffers. Building on nearly a century of needed vitamins and minerals. To me, this is a very exciting cooperation, we’re now able to do We’re partnering with govern- Golden Triangle initiative—one more good for more people more ment, nutrition experts, and organi- revealing the vast, largely untapped quickly than ever before. zations like the World Food Program potential of business, government So, as you can see, there are many and the Howard G. Buffett Founda- and NGOs to collaborate creatively reasons to be optimistic. tion to get this beverage into school together. And what you’re doing, each and lunch programs, together with nutri- Even now, we’re working with our every day, is critically important as tion and physical activity education. partners to replicate what’s happen- you advance the health of your em- Globally, our partners include ing in Tanzania in Ghana, which has ployees, your communities and the Cutrale, DSM, TetraPak and the an acute need for vaccine distribu- broader world beyond. Global Alliance for Improved Nutri- tion. In March, we launched a 15- In fact, I believe we’re just begin- tion, an NGO related to the Bill and week assessment phase in Ghana. ning to harness the power of busi- Melinda Gates Foundation. Around the world, we’ve seen ness to improve global health. Late last year, we launched three firsthand the positive impact wom- Even over these two days, new pilots in Malaysia, Ghana and en’s economic empowerment has on Golden Triangle collaborations are Colombia, and we’re continuing the the health and wellbeing of families. coming to life thanks to the conven- work this year. In fact, we’re striving to enable ing power of GBCHealth. Of course, our concern for health the empowerment of 5 million In this audience, I see business, and wellbeing extends beyond obe- women entrepreneurs worldwide government and civil society leaders sity and undernourishment. by 2020. all working to improve global health. Since 2006, The Coca-Cola With this effort, called 5 BY 20, Progress is happening right here, Africa Foundation has been involved we expect to reach 300,000 women thanks to you and GBCHealth. And in NetsforLife—a Golden Triangle by the end of this year, as we test, you can all be proud. partnership battling malaria in sub- learn and scale what works with our Today is the 216th anniversary of Saharan Africa. partners. Edward Jenner’s first smallpox vacci- To date, NetsforLife has distrib- And our partners in 5 BY 20 will nation—a day that changed history uted 8.5 million nets, saved the lives be critical to our success, includ- for the better and for all time. of more than 100,000 children, and ing—very prominently—Michelle In our world, the next step- trained nearly 74,000 malaria con- Bachelet of UN Women, who you change of this magnitude could hap- trol agents. heard from earlier. pen any month, any week, any day. AIDS, of course, is one of the Water is another focus for us— And you may very well help make great health scourges of our time. and one closely related to health and it happen. Building on an existing partner- women’s empowerment. So keep pushing forward… ship with The Global Fund, we By 2020, we’re committed to “giv- Keep leading the way… joined with (RED) late last year to ing back”100 percent of the water Keep building momentum toward raise money and awareness in the used in bottling our beverages. the health breakthroughs the world fight against AIDS with our music Already, we’ve conducted 386 is so eager to see. platforms and other resources. community water projects in 94 Thank you very much! And the tide is turning, with the countries since 2005.

VSOTD.COM 041 WINNER: DIVERSITY CATEGORY “Female Skills Make the Difference in Two Thousand and Twelve—The Need for Full Participation of Women in Modern Society”

Writer: Johan Kroes Delivered to: a meeting of “Woman of Today.” Speaker: Ank Bijleveld-Schouten, Bathmen, Overijssel, the Netherlands Queen’s Commissioner, the Netherlands April 16, 2012

adies, I think Carly’s story is a familiar one. developing extremely rapidly. L Tonight, I would like to intro- It’s not so much about the fact that We are living in a time of crisis duce you to Carly. he has made it to the top. and in an ever more flexible network- Carly was an insecure student, It’s about character, about making based economy. whose foremost aim was to win her choices, and about making the most In order to adapt to that new parents’ approval. of your abilities. reality, we need to share, stay con- Her mother was a good painter. It’s the story of someone who nected, and notice each other, as well Carly was not. took control of her own life, and as communicate accurately and act Her father loved the law and learned to recognize and use her own intuitively for the greater public good. teaching. strength. And those are precisely the things Seeing no way of following in her That’s what Overijssel needs. women are good at. mother’s footsteps, she decided to fol- That’s what the Netherlands needs. Within the context of my personal low in her father’s. Your association has a highly position and that of the government So Carly decided to study law. diverse member base. in general, the important thing in She worked extremely hard and There are those who are still in my view is that we—now more than did her level best. So much so that the middle of their working lives, ever—are in a position to make some it started to affect her health. She and others who are enjoying their important choices that society calls suffered headaches more and more retirement. for and supports. often. But I think these principles apply And that while the gap between One day she went to spend a to everyone. citizens and authorities and politics weekend at her parents’. It is with great pleasure that I has grown larger than ever before She felt miserable about her stud- deliver this lecture and I would like to over the past few years. ies and future prospects. delve deeper into this subject by rais- Authorities and politicians are But that Sunday morning, while ing the following issues: mistrusted. taking a shower, it struck her. 1. The need for full participation Instead of their decisions, politi- She realised that her life couldn’t of women in modern society. cians’ expense claims make headlines. be all about pleasing others. 2. The current state of affairs in What we need are authorities and She realised that if she really terms of women in leading positions. politicians that manage, more than wanted to make something of her 3. The importance of tackling the ever before, to penetrate to the core life, she would have to find something typical pitfalls women should avoid of our society. that suited her abilities and talents. and the typical qualities they should Politicians who sense what society She realised it was time start chas- exploit. asks and expects of them. ing her dreams. 4. And finally, I would like to put We as politicians, representatives I’m talking about Carly Fiorina. three things into a different perspec- of the people, and civil servants will Between nineteen ninety-nine and tive to paint a balanced total picture. have to find a new way of work- two thousand and five, she was the 1. ing, one that is all about raising CEO of IT giant Hewlett Packard. Ladies, awareness, facilitating, and kindling The first ever female CEO of a I read the following headline enthusiasm. company in the top twenty of leading somewhere: And perhaps more women in American companies. ‘Female skills make the difference positions of authority is just what we The influential business magazine in two thousand and twelve.’ need to achieve that. Fortune named her the Most Power- I think there’s an element of truth Or at least a more balanced ful Woman in Business in nineteen in that. ratio of men to women in leading ninety-eight. We are living in a society that is positions.

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And the question is whether we do. makes it above ten percent. Mirjam van Praag, Professor of 2. Women make up seventeen per- Entrepreneurship and Organization Ladies, cent of senior lecturers, and thirty at the University of Amsterdam, Across the entire scope of educa- percent of lecturers. conducted research that showed that tion, women are currently doing The higher up the ladder you go, mixed teams generate more sales and better than ever before, right down the lower the percentage of higher profits. from year one in primary school up women. The positive effect of more women to university. And there is also plenty of room at the top is, according to Ms Van You may perhaps appreciate that for improvement in public adminis- Praag’s research, greatest when half in your own children. tration. or slightly more than half of a man- Champions of equal rights for I myself happen to be Overijssel’s agement team is female. women in education—such as Aletta first ever female Queen’s Commis- I believe that to be true. Jacobs—never even dared to dream sioner. You need a certain critical mass, this could happen. There are now two female Queen’s which impacts the functioning of But a hundred years later, this Commissioners in the Netherlands, that body. success still does not give women a and the number of women on pro- Contrary to councils with only one reason to celebrate. vincial executives can also be counted or two women, a ‘trinity of women’ And that is exactly what I want to on the fingers of one hand. leads to normalisation: talk about. At least our current provincial gender is then no longer a barrier Since two thousand and eight, executive is fifty percent female. for acceptance and communication. we’ve had the ‘Talent to the Top I will come back to that later. As I said earlier, our Provincial Charter’ aimed at getting more The number of women mayors Executive meets this three-women women in leading positions. should also be higher. rule nicely. At the end of two thousand and When I was mayor of the munici- With the arrival of members Ineke ten, the province of Overijssel also pality Hof van Twente, I used to be Bakker and Hester Maij, we are now signed on to this Charter. the only female mayor in the prov- three women and three men. As many as one hundred and sev- ince of Overijssel for many years. That has generated greater atten- enty organisations, representing a to- I was consequently always prompt- tion to the things that unite us. tal of six hundred and fifty thousand ed to stand in the middle for group And it has also positively affected employees, have meanwhile signed on photos at mayors’ meetings. the executive’s image. to the Charter. I would always make sure to wear Responses I received showed that Last year, the committee oversee- a colourful outfit to contrast with all people find it surprising and impor- ing the results announced that the those dark suits. tant that we have achieved this. share of women in leading positions I was therefore happy to see And it is receiving more attention rose by one point two percent in two several women join the ranks of the than I thought it would, which is thousand and ten. Netherlands’ mayors, albeit that it is something I welcome. As nice as that may be, it is still a male-dominated position. Ladies, hardly impressive. And that while there is plenty of The question that still looms large Men are still three times as likely talent around! is: how do we get more women in to get a promotion as women. I just think that women perhaps leading positions? We are still seeing too few women fail to esteem themselves highly Should we set quotas? make it to the top. enough. Recently, news emerged that Eu- Here are some more figures: What has struck me over the past ropean Commission member Viviane Of the one hundred and twelve year, for example, is that where may- Reding is planning to set quotas for members of the Boards of Directors oral vacancies arose for larger cities, the whole European Union. of the Dutch companies that make we received very few application let- Personally, I’m not in favour of up the Amsterdam Stock Exchange ters from women. quotas. Index only one was a Dutch woman. We can do better! In my days as a State Secretary I Looking at the world of science, And we must do better! always had tough discussions about the figures do not paint a much rosier And for me it’s not about the this topic with then Minister Guusje picture. figures, but purely about the fact that ter Horst, whereby I always main- Figures published by the VSNU, society is fifty percent female. tained that quotas have a stigmatis- the Association of Dutch Universi- Both the corporate world and pub- ing effect. ties, show that the percentage of lic administration should reflect that. My view has always been that quotas female university professors barely And that also makes financial sense! might actually make women worse off.

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Professor Van Praag’s research it through. As far as I’m concerned, they not confirms that. It is, in my view, also important only affect women on their way to the She showed that quotas are that we consciously look for com- top, but also women in general who counterproductive, because what petent women during application are striving to achieve certain goals. matters is to get the right women in procedures. The first pitfall is: the right jobs. Experience has taught us that men Diligently doing your best, and In practice, forcing quotas has have greater belief in their ability to then just hoping someone notices and been proven not to benefit quality be up to a certain job and are there- rewards you. and profitability. fore quicker to apply. Research shows that many women Van Praag does, however, argue in Women, on the other hand, tend do this. favour of target figures, as adopted to be more reserved, often without And that while men are far pushier by increasing numbers of companies reason. when it comes to getting ahead. and public bodies. You may know that I was involved I mentioned that before. That is something I do agree with. in coalition negotiations over the In the world of politics and public I’m all in favour of striving for summer of two thousand and ten, administration this is a very common equal numbers. As long as it is based which eventually led to the first Rutte phenomenon. on equal quality. cabinet. The second pitfall: A good way of working is, in my During such negotiations numer- Thinking that you already have to view, to have women join at middle ous people offer themselves for minis- have mastered a position to be able to management level. terial posts, and most of those people fulfil it. That is something I sought to in- are men. This is what keeps many women state when I was the State Secretary This is such a strange phenomenon! from making a promotion, let alone responsible for the Senior Civil Ser- Whenever it comes to appointing demanding one. vice, the highest level of civil service new mayors, I always set out to con- Most men, on the other hand, in the Netherlands. sciously focus on female candidates. take it as read that you need a year to Women can prove themselves in And that starts with the profile master new tasks, and are more than that middle management position and meetings. happy to give themselves that time. then move on to a leading position. What I do, for example, is encour- That is yet another reason why And there are several other age suitable women to apply, and ask men are more successful in the labour ways I see that could help improve a number of female candidates to market. women’s position. appear before the council’s nomina- And the third: Create the right circumstances to tion committee. Making your way through life enable women to function at the top. Needless to say, I do that while asking questions. I was the first Member of Parlia- never losing sight of quality, and Men make statements, in a low ment in the Netherlands to have two definitely not purely based on the fact voice. children during my tenure. that those candidates are women. Women ask questions, in a high There were no maternity leave 3. voice. schemes in place back then. Ladies, Guess what’s more effective? I always wanted to have children That brings me to an important Indeed, the former is considered at some point, but my intensive job point. more self-assured and has better made that quite difficult. Like Carly Fiorina from my intro- results. My first daughter was born during duction, the trick is to not wait for Ladies, summer recess, while I had to report others to take action. I’m not advocating that we women sick for the final stages of my preg- We need to step up and take should adopt a male strategy. nancy of my second child. control ourselves, and work on over- Know your female strength and And whenever there was an im- coming our pitfalls, and consciously use it. portant vote, I would come to parlia- deploy our female qualities. Ellen Söentken wrote a very inter- ment anyway. And more than anything else: esting book about this. Upon my return to parliament I make conscious choices. In her book, she describes a host teamed up with Ien Dales to propose Evelien Tonkes, Chair of Active of core female qualities, stating that a maternity scheme for Members of Citizenship Studies at the Univer- women have an innate ability to: Parliament. sity of Amsterdam, described three tempt, mother, tap into emotions, This proposal was initially rejected pitfalls that many women will be clarify, act, observe intuitively, and by the Upper Chamber of Parliament. familiar with. give meaning. But eventually the scheme made I don’t want to keep these from you. Every woman possesses these

CICERO 2013 044 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS qualities to some degree. sure to use that tool! where male and female values and The problem is that many of these Besides using and further develop- qualities are balanced. qualities have a negative ring to them ing our qualities, we must also dare We are now seeing the emergence in society. to make choices. of a new generation of leaders that They are considered faults. If you really want to achieve quite visibly has that balance. Here are two examples: something, you must be prepared High-profile examples are Obama 1. Tapping into emotions. to accept the consequences, and do and Princess Máxima of the Neth- Hillary Clinton brushed away a so in close consultation with your erlands. tear when she lost the Iowa caucuses partner. 2. We will also have to think to Obama. In our case, this meant that my about our balance in a literal sense. Bad form, many women said. husband started working less. As women, we sometimes tend to But the result is what matters. I used to stay in The Hague dur- want to be overly caring, and end up And that result came the next ing the week, because The Hague overdoing it. day; Clinton won the New Hamp- was too far from Overijssel for a You will probably know the bibli- shire primary. daily commute. cal parable of the Good Samaritan. The tear had worked. And besides, during my time as He is praised for his efforts in Human resources consultants say: State Secretary, I used to spend 1 helping a man who had been beaten men cry during tough talks, over their week out of every 6 in the Nether- and robbed. car, their home, their wife. lands Antilles. The parable describes what the Women are good criers, but often fail All in all, my husband took care Samaritan did. to cry when that would be expedient. of our two daughters most of the He saw the wounded man lying They save their tears for the ride time. by the road, felt compassion, went back home. I’ve had to learn to partly let go over to the man, dressed his wounds, 2. Another pre-eminently female of their upbringing. and took him to an inn. trait is the ability to clarify matters. That wasn’t easy. The Samaritan paid the inn- Whenever emotions run high dur- Sometimes, when I got home, I keeper to ensure the wounded man ing a meeting, women can use that still tended to interfere. could stay at the inn until he’d made talent to settle everyone down. My husband and I really talked a fully recovery. They tend to be the ones asking: this through very well at the time, And the Samaritan then contin- ‘what exactly is the problem?’ because his career was going to take ued his journey. But unfortunately, women don’t a backseat to mine. A striking example of love for use their intuition enough, because You simply cannot want and have one’s fellow man! it is alleged to be unscientific and everything when you have a family. But also consider what the Samar- wrong. But I never wanted to fully push my itan did not do. But it does work. personal life aside for politics. He didn’t take the wounded man Men, on the other hand, call it The trick is to talk things through back to his own home, to stay in a people skills, which are generally ac- properly. room he cleared out for him, and he cepted and widely used. You must recognize each other’s didn’t have his wife cook for him. Women will for example—even singularities and keep doing your And neither did he stay at the inn when alarm bells are ringing—shy own things. with the wounded man for a week to away from confrontation. Make sure you keep communicat- take care of him. Lying, political games, they can ing about that! He didn’t go after the robbers see right through it, but they will let 4. who had left the man in such a state it go. Ladies, to retrieve the man’s money. After all, they lack proof, “it’s just And finally, I would like to put And he didn’t abort his journey a hunch.” three things into a different perspec- either, but instead continued to The fact of the matter is that tive to paint a balanced total picture. where he was headed the next morn- women are more finely tuned when it 1. I mentioned that female quali- ing. comes to reading non-verbal commu- ties are indispensable in modern There are certain things you must nication. society. do, but many more you should not Women have a better developed But we also need decisiveness, do! sense of smell, see more details, are guts, action, and structural thought. Otherwise you’re bound to fall better listeners. Qualities that are generally found in victim to a burn-out! The extent of what women can men. As I mentioned before, I used to perceive is just unbelievable, so be We need to work on a situation stay in The Hague during the week.

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Once you get settled in that environ- act out a role, you will sooner or And I just happen to be the kind ment, there are also lots of things you later always be exposed. of person who really sinks her teeth can do in The Hague on weekends. Stick to what you’re good at and into something. But I consciously chose to reserve interested in, and really go for it. People notice that. my weekends for my family as much I know it’s a cliché, but that’s I was a local councillor first, and as possible. because it’s so true. was subsequently asked to become a 3. And finally—and this may I personally never set out to Member of Parliament. even be my most important message become a Member of Parliament or To make a long story short: it fi- today—stay true to yourself! State Secretary. nally led to me being in a position to At the end of the day, ambition is I was just interested in politics give you the following advice today: relative. and wanted to contribute to shaping believe in yourself, use your quali- If you’re not true to yourself, but our society. ties, and go for it! WINNER: ECONOMICS CATEGORY “Make It in America”

Writer: Nate Osburn Delivered at: Council on Foreign Speaker: Rebecca Blank, Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Relations, Washington, D.C., Sept. 28, 2012

hank you, Lauri (Fitz-Pegado). It’s pay off over the next several years, if not advanced manufacturing? In a word: Ta treat to share the stage with a the next several decades. Innovation. renowned trade expert. It seems that I’ve spent a lot of time at Commerce The president gets it. That’s why this I’m always running into alumni of the thinking about—and talking to various administration has been pursuing mul- Commerce Department. I tell people to experts about—America’s long-term tiple policies designed to keep the U.S. watch out—we’re everywhere. competitiveness. at the front end of research and innova- I want to thank the Council for Today, I want to talk about one topic tion…and thereby support American inviting me, and I look forward to our that I think is crucial to our competi- manufacturing. discussion. tiveness, namely, increasing the level of • This includes working to reverse We have come a long way since the business investment in the U.S. Business the erosion we’ve seen since 1980 in economic freefall that we were expe- investment can occur in many sectors, federal support for basic R&D, much of riencing in late 2008. We were losing but I’ll focus on manufacturing, because which supports our manufacturing base. 750,000 jobs a month. We’ve now cre- outsourcing and lost manufacturing jobs President Obama set a goal of doubling ated 5.1 million new jobs over the past in the U.S. has been such a major public federal dollars in R&D over five years, 30 months. concern over the last two decades. and we’ve made a good start on that. We’ve experienced nearly three years As you may know, manufacturing • We’ve also launched the pilot for a of stable economic growth, but we know has been a particularly bright spot in National Network for Manufacturing that there’s still work to do… our recovery—with over half-a-million Innovation—an effort to speed up the Growth has been steady, but slower new jobs in manufacturing since 2009. tech transfer process through regional than anyone here would like. Unem- This is a real turnaround, compared to collaborations. I’d be happy to discuss ployment has fallen substantially, but is the previous decade in which we lost six that more in our conversation. still too high. million manufacturing jobs. • And the president continues to ad- The good news is that all the growth America will retain and strengthen vocate for investments in infrastructure forecasts for the next two years suggest its manufacturing base only if we are as well as crucial investments in educa- that this recovery will accelerate, par- the global place-to-be for high-end tion and training to ensure that we have ticularly now that the housing market is and advanced manufacturing… that a skilled and flexible workforce. showing clear signs of recovery. is, manufacturing that relies on high- Better infrastructure, skilled labor, That means we’ve reached a moment tech new processes or that makes new and advanced research and innovation where we can’t think just about next products. That’s what’s going to keep are all critical investments that build a month or next year. If we care about us both competitive and attractive as a stronger environment for manufacturers our nation’s long-term competitiveness, place to invest. to thrive. we have to think about policies that will How do we lead the world in And a major reason that these invest-

CICERO 2013 046 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS ments are so crucial right now is because in terms of cost-benefit, in part due to entrepreneurship and feed innovation I believe that we have a unique op- the fact that we’ve doubled the genera- into our private sector ... portunity to attract business investment tion of many renewable energy sources And, of course, we have the largest into the U.S. in the immediate future, since 2008. consumer-driven economy in the world. particularly in manufacturing. I’d like to A second area where the U.S. is gain- • On Tuesday, I was at the Virginia focus the rest of my time today talking ing a stronger competitive edge is with plant of STIHL [steel]—the German- about that. labor—in both costs and productivity. based company that makes chainsaws. There are two parts to increasing • In recent years, as wages have gone They have expanded their presence in business investments in the U.S.: up and the middle class has grown in Virginia Beach in recent years—and • One: We want U.S. firms to expand countries like China, the labor-cost hired 50 more workers—largely due to here at home and bring jobs back— advantages to these countries has dimin- the strong demand from U.S. consumers. sometimes referred to as insourcing or ished. • More than ever before, compa- reshoring. • At the same time, U.S. manufac- nies need to be near their customers • Two: We want foreign-owned firms turing workers now produce about 9 to respond to their changing tastes to locate their next plant in America percent more each hour than they did and demands. Consumer spending is through foreign direct investment—FDI. before the recession. growing here in the U.S. at a moderate I’m very optimistic that we will see • In fact, it’s notable that we’re now but steady pace—and if the President’s substantial increases in both of these seeing increasing investment flows middle-class tax cuts go through—we areas over the next several years. from Asia to the U.S. Asia accounted will ensure that it continues to grow. In my travels both at home and for less than 4 percent of the entire Overall, domestically, it’s difficult to abroad, I frequently ask CEOs and busi- world’s business investment to the U.S. track the increased number of U.S. busi- ness owners where they are thinking of in 2009… but now it accounts for more nesses that are engaging in some form making their next investment. I’m hear- than 20 percent of insourcing. We don’t collect that data, ing more and more of them say that the A third major reason why the U.S. but it’s clear that the trend is real. U.S. is where they have to be. is becoming a more attractive invest- In January, the president held a sum- Business leaders list a number of rea- ment location is because other devel- mit with about 20 U.S. businesses that sons for why the U.S. looks so attractive oped countries’ economies are looking are bringing jobs back to America. And, to them right now: less robust. this year, on the pages of major U.S. First, our energy outlook is bright. • After the global slowdown, this Ad- newspapers, we have seen dozens of This is crucial for companies that rely ministration took hard steps to put our feature stories of manufacturers—both on energy for production, including financial sector and our economy on a U.S. and foreign-based—that are choos- foreign-based manufacturers which stronger footing. Many observers believe ing to make their products in America. have accounted for the largest portion— that our banks have restructured more It’s a little easier to quantify the about 40 percent—of all FDI flow into fully than in other countries and that overall growth in FDI. FDI flows into the U.S. over the last three years. our recovery is stronger and more stable. businesses in the U.S. have jumped from • We will be meeting more than half • In contrast, the Eurozone remains $144 billion in 2009… to $227 billion of our oil needs with domestic produc- in crisis—the IMF projects a decline in last year. The U.S. already attracts about tion by 2014, leading to more stable and growth this year and only 0.7 percent one-fifth of all of the FDI flows coming lower costs for oil. growth in 2013. Elsewhere, growth is out of other countries—and we want to • In addition, we have seen a dra- also slowing in countries like China and increase that. matic, 14-fold increase in natural gas India. So how do we build on these trends? production from shale in recent years. The list of reasons that CEOs give First, the president has called on For example, from just 2009 to 2011, for investing here is longer still. Congress to end tax breaks for compa- Pennsylvania quadrupled its natural • We have a strong rule of law and nies that ship jobs overseas and—in- gas production. a good regulatory environment. The stead—give relief to companies that • So it’s no surprise that natural gas U.S. ranks 4th of 183 economies in bring jobs back. That’s common sense. prices overall have dropped fourfold the World Bank’s Ease-of-Doing Busi- It’s something we should all be able to since June 2008. This provides us with ness Index ... agree on. an important advantage as our natural • The U.S. has the strongest level of Second, we’re implementing a new gas costs drop relative to other coun- intellectual property protection—and program at the Commerce Department tries. For example, right now natural our patent system (housed at Com- called SelectUSA, which the President gas costs in the U.S. are one-quarter of merce) is only getting better due to the launched last year. SelectUSA’s mis- prices of Europe. America Invents Act ... sion is to promote investment in the • Finally, many alternative energy • We have the best universities in the U.S. using the full power of the Federal sources are reaching the tipping point world—producing graduates that drive government.

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As the former Director General need to attract businesses. we can to give businesses both here and of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Through the Make it in America abroad every possible reason to believe Service, Lauri will appreciate the fact Challenge, the Departments of Com- that the smart choice is to Make it in that SelectUSA involves some of Com- merce and Labor are teaming up to find America. Or, as we like to say at the merce’s most dedicated public ser- communities that are poised to attract a Department of Commerce, to “build it vants—our commercial service officers major investment, but just need a little here and sell it everywhere.” around the world. more help to get the deal done: These efforts are crucial because we Traditionally, these staff have been • Maybe the city needs a better road know that when a company builds a focused on helping U.S. firms export to an industrial site, new factory here, the likelihood of jobs to foreign markets… But now they’re • Maybe manufacturers looking to staying here long-term is very high. And also helping foreign investors who want relocate are asking for better informa- that means a stronger middle class for information about how to invest in the tion and technical assistance, generations to come. U.S… and who want to link up with • Maybe local workers need a tai- So let’s take full advantage of this local and state economic development lored training program to fill a particu- moment. leaders to get the deals done. We just lar skills gap. In the coming years, we have a finished training the officers who are Through this competition, we will window of opportunity to ensure that stationed in the top 25 foreign markets evaluate a community’s potential to use America is home to the most innovative where 90 percent of America’s FDI these tools and resources to promote and dynamic businesses in the world— comes from. insourcing… to attract FDI… and most including our manufacturers. And we can’t stop there. importantly... to create good jobs. And Let’s make sure that the world’s busi- When I was at STIHL on Tuesday, we’ll fund the best proposals that we ness leaders—both here and abroad— we announced yet another effort aimed receive. All in all, we plan to give up to know that there has never been a better at promoting U.S. investment. Make it 15 awards totaling $40 million through time to invest in the United States. in America is a major initiative to give this Challenge. Thank you. I look forward to your American communities the help they Overall, we’re trying to do everything questions and comments.

WINNER: ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY/SUSTAINABILITY CATEGORY “The Natural Gas Revolution: A Secure, Abundant force for Good.”

Writer: Brian. S. Akre Delivered at: 31st Annual CERAWeek Speaker: Peter Voser, CEO, Royal Dutch Shell Executive Conference, Houston, Texas, March 7, 2012

t’s been called “the natural gas revolu- also take a look at what our industry and than we previously assumed. In fact, this Ition,” the “golden age of gas” and the policymakers need to do now to ensure year—for the first time—Shell expects “shale gale.” society benefits from this abundant to produce more natural gas than oil. Whatever title we give it, the natural resource for decades to come. But while we expect gas to play a gas story is being rewritten as I speak. You are all well aware of the scope larger role in meeting the world’s future It is developing into a far more compel- of the global energy challenge. Our energy needs, it’s not entirely clear today ling narrative, one with the potential to world is headed toward what we at Shell how this new story will play out. How change the world for the better. describe as a “zone of uncertainty,” a will policymakers around the world ad- Thanks to new technology and in- period of significant stress between en- dress its challenges and opportunities? novation, today we can affordably tap ergy supply and demand between now Most importantly, can our industry into vast fields of tight gas and shale gas and 2050. earn the public trust by developing embedded in rocks deep in the earth, re- Underlying global demand for en- this cleanest fossil fuel responsibly and covering a resource that just a few years ergy is likely to double or even triple in safely—in a way that protects the envi- ago was considered out of reach. the first half of this century. The world ronment and reduces greenhouse gases? Today I will share with you my view needs to invest heavily in energy produc- I think we can and will. But we face on the implications of the natural gas tion, both in traditional sources and in some hard work ahead. revolution and the role gas can play in renewables. meeting our future energy needs as a Natural gas likely will play a far more A secure, abundant force for good “secure, abundant force for good.” I will significant role in meeting this challenge First, while we all recognise the signifi-

CICERO 2013 048 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS cance of this opportunity, our industry also is having a ripple effect, contrib- which transforms natural gas into high- needs to do a better job of convincing uting significantly to the economic er-value liquid fuels and chemicals. Shell the world that natural gas is a force for recovery. is a pioneer and leader in GTL technol- good. The President, in his recent State of ogy, with a track record of research and It’s affordable, it’s clean burning and the Union address, noted natural gas production going back four decades. it benefits the economy. It’s a natural ally activities alone could support more than Last year, we opened the world’s to renewables like wind and solar. And 600-thousand U.S. jobs by the end of largest GTL plant in Qatar. The Pearl its supply is diverse, which enhances this decade. GTL plant produces GTL gasoil, a energy security. The new abundance of gas is helping clean-burning diesel-type automotive That last point is particularly signifi- the United States and other countries fuel; GTL kerosene that can be used cant here in North America. President rebuild their economies and become for jet fuel; and a variety of chemical Obama recently said the United States more competitive. It’s doing this not feedstocks for lubricants, detergents and could become “the Saudi Arabia of only through job creation, but by reduc- petrochemicals. natural gas.” That’s no exaggeration. ing energy costs and boosting other We think GTL technology could But while the potential of the natural critical industries, such as chemicals make a lot of sense in North America. gas boom is dramatic, it is just one chap- manufacturing. It would further reduce the need for ter in this evolving story. In fact, several major chemical com- imported oil while deriving greater value The others include: increased oil panies have recently announced plans to from this region’s natural gas resources. production from the Gulf of Mexico; open or re-open plants in this country, potentially huge deposits in Alaska and bucking the trend of recent years. Safety & Environmental Issues elsewhere in the Arctic; and the growth At Shell, we have also been working So, yes, there are a lot of positives in tight oil and heavy oil, including oil hard to find other ways to use this abun- about the gas revolution. But, as you sands. Together, these developments dant resource, by investing in the natural know, we face serious issues around promise to dramatically improve the gas value chain. Liquefied natural gas the safety and environmental impact outlook for energy security here and for transportation is a great example. of developing these resources. This elsewhere around the world. LNG holds tremendous promise as a has generated increased public scep- Production of tight oil in the United cleaner transport fuel. As an alternative ticism. States alone has increased five-fold since to diesel, it’s a smart way to reduce emis- Many of those who live in areas 2000, helping reverse a nearly 40-year sions of sulphur-oxides and particulates. where natural gas is being developed decline in oil production. The U.S. For example, in Singapore and the worry that modern production tech- Energy Information Administration re- Dutch port of Rotterdam we are look- niques will harm their environment cently estimated this resource could help ing at opportunities to use LNG as a and endanger their health. The increase U.S. oil production by one-fifth marine fuel. In western Canada, Shell’s irony, of course, is that those tech- in this decade. preparing to make LNG available this niques are tried and tested—they are And this is not just a North American year to fleet operators along the busy what have made the abundance of story. The addition of these resources truck route from Calgary to Edmonton. gas possible. to the world’s energy bank, especially We will install a small-scale gas-liq- And, yes, not all of the concern natural gas, is already changing global uefaction plant in Alberta and dispense and criticism is based on facts or energy dynamics. LNG at Shell/Flying J truck stops rational argument. But it is our real- While the Western Hemisphere will throughout western Canada. Drawing ity, and these concerns need to be still need to import oil, CERA estimates on the region’s natural gas to produce addressed. the need could fall by as much as half the LNG, we believe fleets on this route And let’s be honest: As an indus- in this decade. This will mean less oil could see a reduction in greenhouse gas try, we have not always done our from the Middle East and West Africa. emissions of up to 20 percent on a well- best to engage in the public debates That oil will instead flow in increasing to-wheels basis. about these issues. This has resulted volumes to Asia. We are also investigating ways to use in some misconceptions taking root, As (IHS CERA Chairman) Daniel LNG as a transport fuel in the rail and especially about the impact of hy- Yergin has noted, the Western Hemi- mining sectors, as well as in oil and gas draulic fracturing, or “fracking.” sphere is emerging once again as an drilling. And natural gas can provide a We need to do a better job of energy powerhouse. In his words: “Inno- cleaner source of electricity than coal listening and responding. To this vation is redrawing the map of world oil for the world’s growing fleet of electric end, Shell last year announced five … and remaking our energy future.” vehicles, which would further reduce operating principles for our onshore many countries’ need to import oil. tight oil and gas operations. These Global economic impact Another example of the expanding provide a framework for protecting The growth of the U.S. energy market value chain is gas-to-liquids technology, water, air, wildlife and the communi-

VSOTD.COM 049 ties in which we operate. and recycle water from our opera- system to help us stop methane leaks We have invited comment on tions. detected with an infrared camera. these principles, and we are commit- That said, it can take twice the But clearly more research and ted to support regulations consistent amount of fresh water to extract hard data are needed to understand with them. Our hope is they can be shale gas than conventional gas. But the true extent of methane releases applied over time to all tight oil and this is not the whole story. from the natural gas industry. To gas operations around the world. The extraction phase only ac- that end, Shell is among operators To that end, the U.S. Energy counts for a small fraction of the working with the Environmental Secretary’s Shale Gas Production total amount of water used to gener- Defense Fund to accurately measure Subcommittee (on which Mr. Yergin ate power. Studies done by Harvard methane emissions from natural sat) examined potential measures to and MIT researchers show the water gas production here in the United ensure public safety and protect the intensity of shale gas ranks among States. environment in shale gas produc- the lowest of all fuel sources. Across It’s also important to remember tion. As it notes in a recent report, the life cycle, shale gas-fired power overall greenhouse gas emissions “a prudent balance between devel- consumes only half the volume of from shale gas-fired power are still opment and environmental protec- fresh water per megawatt hour con- only around half of those from coal, tion is best struck by establishing a sumed by coal and nuclear. across the lifecycle from production strong foundation of regulation and At our operations in Groundbirch to use. enforcement.” in Canada and Pinedale, Wyoming Conclusion The fact is hydraulic fracturing has (USA), Shell re-uses gas-processing In summary, the gas revolution been performed more than 1.1 mil- water for hydraulic fracturing, re- offers the world a tremendous op- lion times in the United States alone ducing water use by half. portunity to help meet the growing over the past 60 years. Documented A third area of concern is green- demand for affordable energy in the instances of freshwater contamina- house gas emissions, especially coming decades. At the same time, it tion have been extremely rare. methane, from shale gas production. offers the fastest and cheapest route When problems have occurred, Some environmental groups that to reduce power-sector emissions of they were simply due to poorly de- once supported switching from coal CO2 significantly. signed wells. When a well is designed to gas for electricity generation are These gas resources , combined and constructed correctly, ground- no longer doing so over concerns with new oil opportunities in the water will not be contaminated. about methane leakage. Gulf of Mexico, in Arctic Alaska As an industry, we should insist on This is an issue we need to take and in deposits of liquid-rich shale strong regulation and enforcement seriously. and heavy oil, mean North America to ensure everyone in the industry This controversy was sparked by is positioned to become far more does the job right. a couple of well-publicised studies energy secure than it has been in We also support President that we believe greatly exaggerated decades. Obama’s call for regulation to the emissions released during the This growth in the energy sector, disclose chemicals used in hydraulic production and distribution of shale especially the abundance of afford- fracturing fluids. Indeed, we support gas. They also overlooked the steps able natural gas, is leading to a re- regulations to promote transparency the industry takes to contain the birth of the petrochemicals industry and public engagement by the tight amount of methane released during while helping to make this region’s and shale gas industry in relation to production. manufacturing industries more com- all of its activities. The International Energy Agency petitive globally. In the United States, Shell already found on a well-to-burner basis, The scale of the gas revolution publicly discloses its fracturing fluid emissions from shale gas exceed makes it vital that the public discus- chemicals through the FracFocus on- those of conventional gas by as little sion and policymaking be based on line registry to the extent permitted as 3.5 percent in the best-case sce- hard facts and rigorous analysis. under our supplier contracts. nario and by 12 percent in the worst. There are environmental and Another major public concern At Shell we manage our opera- operational challenges associated about hydraulic fracturing is exces- tions to keep emissions to the lower with the production of tight and sive water use. Sound operational number. It is obviously in our eco- shale gas. But our industry has the practices can keep water consump- nomic interest to capture as much expertise to effectively deal with tion to a minimum. We design our gas as possible. We know methane these challenges, especially if we operations to reduce the amount of releases can be significantly reduced are governed by well-targeted and drinkable water we use. Wherever by using proven technologies. For robustly enforced regulations. practical, we use non-potable water example, at Pinedale, we installed a It’s time we address these issues

CICERO 2013 050 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS and get the word out that natural gas work of each and every operator is affordable energy supply. is a secure, abundant force for good. done to the highest standards. The The story is being rewritten now. As an industry, we need to listen reality is the lowest performer in our But how the final chapters play out and respond to public concerns, to industry sets the standard by which will be based not on what we say become more transparent about our we are all judged. here today, but on what we do in the operations, to build trust. This “gas revolution,” this “gold- months and years ahead. And we need to cooperate with en age of gas,” this “shale gale” is Our industry has the talent, the government and non-governmental the best, most promising opportunity experience and the capability to do organisations that have a stake in de- we have today to make substantial the job right. It’s time we make it veloping this resource the right way. progress towards a cleaner, more happen. I’m confident we will. Finally, it’s time to ensure the secure, more abundant and more Thank you.

WINNER: HEALTHCARE CATEGORY “The Soul of a Pediatrician”

Writers: Robert W. Block, MD, and Crystal A. Milazzo Delivered to: American Academy of Pediatrics, Speaker: Robert W. Block, MD 2012 National Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, La., Oct. 20, 2012

amily and friends, members of the include the following: meeting in 1898, J.P. Crozer Griffith, FAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, • From Philip Sheldrake: spirituality a leading pediatrician and textbook ladies and gentlemen: I have chosen to is the essence of being—deepest values author of the day, remarked: deviate somewhat from the traditional and meanings by which people live. “Now, what a change! How the President’s plenary address, usually • From Kees Waaijman: a source of profession throughout the country focused on an update of the many inspiration or orientation in life. is awakening to the demands of the accomplishments of our AAP during • And, from the Dalai Lama: love, times!” As I said last year in Boston, the past year. Although I will speak compassion, patience, tolerance, for- during one of my most exciting and to a few of the many issues needing giveness, contentment, responsibility, humbling professional moments—my our attention as an Academy, I will harmony and a concern for others. first speech as AAP President—we initially focus primarily on a concept I I believe it is our ongoing concern for must recognize change, and we must introduced at our Annual Leadership others, for children and their families, manage that change—a concept I first Forum, the Pediatric Academic Societ- that serves us well as an introduction to learned from a recent former AAP ies’ meeting, and in a speech to the “soul.” Our concern is reflected, and President, Dr. Judy Palfrey. It is up to American Medical School Pediatric our soul is defined as: us to reunify the profession of pediat- Department Chairs. • The emotional part of human na- rics. I believe it is our collective soul During those presentations, I dis- ture—the seat of feelings or sentiments. that will enable us to retain our focus cussed the many opportunities available • The ultimate internal principle by on infants, children, adolescents and to pediatricians, retaining our common which we think, feel, and will. young adults, regardless of our identi- interest in children whether we pursue • The principle of life, feeling, fication as a generalist, a subspecialist, primary care practice, subspecialty thought and action. or whatever it may be. After all, we are practice, research, hospital-based pe- • And the core, the heart and the pediatricians, and we are fellows of diatrics, academic pediatrics, or other spirit of who we are. the American Academy of Pediatrics. opportunities. However, regardless of Why is this important? If we are I also wish to acknowledge the many our professional pathways, all of us, I to succeed in our advocacy for chil- other health professionals who work said, have the Soul of a Pediatrician. dren… their health and well-being…we alongside pediatricians, contributing Today I have the privilege of explain- must—regardless of our varied voca- to our goal of supporting and improv- ing my meaning. If we discuss the soul tional choices—recognize the sometimes ing child health. in a context of spirituality, we must first tumultuous and ever-present change Allow me to share a few thoughts define spirituality. Phrases I’ve found affecting our work and our lives. As first that help to explain soul, gleaned from to define my intent in a context that mentioned in a speech to the section on the writings of others. A name many of does not intrude on personal religions the diseases of children during an AMA you will recognize is Theodor Billroth,

VSOTD.COM 051 whose words come from his Lectures on focus with a quote from Theodor Geisel. we can do to protect the forerunners Surgical Pathology and Therapeutics: Who better to teach us about children of lifetime health and well-being. It’s “Let what you observe penetrate your than Dr. Seuss?! the only thing that universally impacts inmost soul, let it so warm and replenish In 1958, Dr. Seuss wrote, “A child is all components of health care. It’s the you that your thoughts constantly refer the last container of a sense of humor, answer to our troubled economy, so to it, and then you will find true pleasure which disappears as he gets older and entangled in a health cost system that and delight in your intellectual labors.” he laughs only according to the way the rewards fixing things that could have I hope all of us, as pediatricians, and boss, society, politics or the race want been so easily prevented. as our colleagues, find “pleasure and de- him to. Then he becomes an adult. And Are you thinking something like, light” in the work we share. Perhaps we an adult is an obsolete child.” certainly everyone knows this. Cer- can even include pleasure and delight in The quote from Dr. Seuss provides tainly the concept of the importance of our evolving understanding of soul. a segue to an important theme I have children is a common thread running Another medical professional, C. been reciting at every opportunity through everything we do. Do you really Jeff Miller, writing in the 1931 journal, during the past couple of years. Many think so? During the last several months Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics: of you now know this by heart: Al- when this country has focused on the “Body and soul cannot be separated for though, in spite of our best efforts, not upcoming presidential election, how purposes of treatment, for they are one every child becomes an adult. But it is many times have you heard, from either and indivisible. The cure—which really certainly true that every adult once was party, the words “child” or “children?” means the CARE—of the sick, the once a child. I am not encouraging advocacy at this relief of suffering, the salvation of life, Who we are as adults, the status point. I am pointing out that other these are the high aims of the medical of our health as adults, is significantly countries have moved from advocacy to profession.” I believe it is our care, and related to our ecology, our biology, important and significant policies, and our caring, that helps define the soul of and our social, physical, and cogni- the United States must not only follow, a pediatrician. tive development during early child- but lead, if we expect to realize a future I will next borrow a thought from a hood. As we learn to recognize and led by healthy, well educated, civil, and nineteenth century British writer and teach the rapidly evolving science that cooperative leaders. social thinker, John Ruskin. His words underscores the need to think beyond At this point, let’s revert back to have helped me understand the mean- advocacy to economics, policy, and tradition as I speak about a few accom- ing of soul. system development, by emphasizing plishments of our AAP during the past He wrote, “The highest reward for children’s health—the return on invest- year that underscore our attention to the a person’s toil is not what they get for it, ment for investing appropriately in our lifelong importance of early, compre- but what they become by it.” Let’s think young children will allow us to do what hensive, pediatric care: about that as pediatricians. It’s not what we must do: manage change! As pediatricians, we know the we receive for our work—but what we Dr. Alan Gutmacher, director of the important role that safe, stable and become by doing that work well. One of NICHD, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver nurturing relationships play in build- the most important aspects of the work National Institute of Child Health and ing healthy brains. For better or worse, we do every day is listening. Human Development, recently said, plasticity makes the developing brain For many years my experiences with “When you become 18, 0r 21, or 30, exquisitely sensitive to early experienc- leadership have been fueled by some- you don’t get a new passport to health.” es. Brain development is also a cumula- thing I read in Stephen Covey’s first Sev- Alan knows the evolving science. He tive process, with simple connections en Habits book. He wrote, “Seek first to knows that a young adult enters this and circuits forming the foundation for understand, then to be understood.” In phase of life with his or her brain, more complex pathways and behaviors addition, Oliver Wendell Holmes once indeed the entire body, reflecting the down the road. That is why the AAP said, “It is the province of knowledge to health, education and well-being of all has designated Early Brain and Child speak. And it is the privilege of wisdom his or her ecology, social conditions, and Development…or EBCD…as one of to listen.” The soul of a pediatrician cre- life experiences through the previous the strategic priorities in our Agenda ates a special capacity for us to listen to years already determining the path of for Children. the voices of children, and—on a daily subsequent adult life. EBCD, for example, was a featured basis—to the concerns of parents and This is the reason EBCD, Early issue at the 2012 Annual Leadership others who count on us to hear those Brain and Child Development—at- Forum and Chapter Advocacy Sum- concerns and to act on them. As we tention to early and subsequent brain mit. Feedback from these sessions think about listening, and our work, our and body development—is so vitally indicated that the EBCD message toil, let’s also focus on those who benefit important, not only because caring resonated, but that more information from our work—our patients, our chil- for ALL children is the right thing to and tools were needed to assist with dren. I think it’s appropriate to assist our do; but because it’s the BEST thing actually implementing it. Letters were

CICERO 2013 052 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS sent to committee, section and council sheets and e-newsletters. for primary care services to Medicare chairs as well as AAP chapter leader- A second strategic priority…epi- levels for calendar years 2013 and 2014. ship encouraging them to put EBCD genetics…was added to our Agenda for This federally-funded increase will on their respective agendas. Our EBCD Children in recognition of the interplay bring Medicaid payment up to more Leadership Workgroup suggested how between genes and the environment… appropriate levels…and should lead to EBCD principles could be incorporated and the impact such interplay has on improved access to care for Medicaid into the Bright Futures guidelines. Our child health. It’s important that we capi- patients across the country. The Acad- new EBCD website is anticipated to be talize on this increased understanding so emy worked hard to secure this parity up and running by the middle of next that medicine tailored to an individual’s provision in the ACA…and to ensure month. And, next year’s Pediatrics for unique genetic traits and needs can be- the proposed rule applies this pay- the 21st Century program will focus on come the standard of care. To that end, ment increase to primary care services EBCD. The symposium…titled “Early the AAP has established the “Genetics provided by specialists and subspecial- Brain and Child Development, Healthy in Primary Care Institute” to increase ists, and includes a number of pediatric Adaptations to Stress and Life Course primary care provider knowledge and services not recognized for payment by Trajectories” …will take place immedi- skills in providing genetic-based services. Medicare. This is an important provi- ately preceding the 2013 AAP NCE on The Institute…a 3-year cooperative sion of the ACA, and we’ll continue to Friday October 25 in Orlando. agreement with the federal Maternal work with our state chapters to ensure its Another significant accomplish- and Child Health Bureau…has three implementation. ment this year was the January 2012 components: a quality improvement In another federal level effort, we publication of the policy statement project…systems and policy develop- advocated strongly for the passage of and technical report on early child- ment…and continuing medical educa- the final FDA user fee bill, which renews hood adversity…toxic stress…and tion and training. and strengthens three essential laws to the need for pediatric leadership in And this is just a start. Institute offer- improve the safety and effectiveness of the Medical Home and beyond. The ings you can expect to hear more about pediatric drugs and medical devices used documents were jointly developed in the coming months include a primary in children: the Best Pharmaceuticals for by our Committee on Psychosocial care quality improvement project…a Children Act…the Pediatric Research Aspects of Child and Family Health… new public website where you can access Equity Act…and the Pediatric Medical Committee on Early Childhood, information, tools and resources…and a Device Safety and Improvement Act. Adoption, and Dependent Care…and summer 2013 conference on integrating The final package included hard-fought Section on Developmental and Behav- genetics, genomics and epigenetics in pediatric provisions, negotiated after ioral Pediatrics, in collaboration with primary care. diligent advocacy by pediatricians and Dr. Jack Shonkoff. They are intended A third area where the Academy Academy staff. to serve as a framework for a broad, has called attention to the importance Our AAP chapters are equally ar- transformational vision…and provide of early, comprehensive pediatric care dent advocates for early, comprehensive the basic science of toxic stress and its is in the federal and state-level advo- pediatric care at the state level. Last inherent application to pediatrics. The cacy arenas. The Affordable Care Act year at this time, for example, we cele- statement and report were widely cov- became law in March 2010 and was brated the Florida Chapter’s success in ered by the media…and well received upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in suing the state over its new law restrict- by professionals in many fields that June 2012. The AAP supports the law ing pediatricians from asking about work with young children. for all it does for children and pediatri- firearms in the home. A U.S. district We’ve also officially launched the cians, which includes addressing the judge granted a permanent injunction new Head Start National Center on Academy’s three over-arching priorities blocking enforcement of that law this Health in partnership with the U.S. of providing health care coverage for all past summer, citing it as unconstitution- Administration for Children and U.S. children…age-appropriate benefits al. In her ruling, the judge sided with Families. Since receiving funding last in a medical home…and access to vital the AAP, the American Academy of October, we’ve developed more than health services through appropriate Family Physicians, and the American 95 training programs and technical as- payment rates and workforce improve- College of Physicians…ruling that the sistance resources for Head Start health ments. We continue to work with the law interfered in the patient-physician managers and family members aimed Administration, AAP members and relationship by limiting practitioners’ at improving the health outcomes of chapters at the state and local level to ability to counsel patients and their children in Head Start and Early Head ensure that the law is implemented to families on the importance of storing Start programs. These materials cover a provide the best possible outcomes for firearms safely. The judge also ruled broad range of health and safety topics, children and pediatricians. that the law harmed patients by impos- and include formats such as webinars, The ACA also includes a critical ing restrictions that prevent them from training curricula, practice guides, fact provision to increase Medicaid payment hearing important preventive health

VSOTD.COM 053 messages from their physicians. children live…but also our intents and experienced has been the chance to The state has since appealed the efforts to manage that change. Perhaps meet so many AAP members, from decision. The Brady Campaign and even more important, they reflect our residents and young physicians to their associated legal counsel stand care…our caring…and our fervent our senior pediatricians. ready to fight the appeal, and we’ll desire that, one day, there will be no To recap; we have work to do. We be closely watching this case that such thing as an adult who is only must manage change; recognize the has implications for all pediatricians an “obsolete child,” but adults who power of the soul of a pediatrician; and their First Amendment rights to will be healthier and who will enjoy a continue our advocacy for children’s exchange information with patients greater sense of well-being, because health and well-being; and teach the about gun safety. our collective pediatric soul convinced importance of the “all adults once The last area of accomplishment our nation’s leaders to invest in the were children” introduction to lifes- I wanted to mention this morn- resource most likely to create the pan health. ing is our work related to disaster greatest return on investment—our Above all, we must continue to preparedness. Many of you in this children. remind all who will listen, and all room can attest to the extraordinary I will close with a few important who should be listening, about the efforts you’ve taken to protect chil- words of gratitude. I have previously need for this nation to reject our dren during or after a disaster. You thanked my family for their love and current status, reflected in child can also attest to the fact that, in support—because if I first expressed poverty, in health disparities, and in general, children’s unique needs are the depth of my appreciation right lackluster education. We must re- often overlooked in such situations. here, I might not be able to continue. mind them also about the need for That is why I’m pleased to report My wife, Sharon, my daughters Erika increased attention to the eco-bio- that the Academy and our Disaster and Andrea, and their husbands Mike developmental model of childhood Preparedness Advisory Council are and Matt are here today. Please join me as a foundation for a healthier and making strides in ensuring that chil- in recognizing their important role in more productive country. dren’s basic needs are attended to in supporting my year as your president To borrow from President Ken- disasters and their aftermath. Additional thanks go to our AAP nedy, who said in 1963, “The needs Earlier this year, AAP leaders and Executive Committee: Drs. Errol of children should not be made to staff met with Federal Emergency Alden, Tom McInerny and Marion wait. We can say with some assur- Management Agency officials to Burton and to Roger Suchyta who ance that, although children may discuss ways we can work together keeps us all on track. I offer a heart- be the victims of fate, they will not to ensure the basic needs of disaster felt thank you, and congratulations be the victims of our neglect.” Yet, victims are met. For children, this on so many jobs well done, to the I’m not comfortable with our last starts with ensuring that each child has wonderful, intelligent, industrious, 50-years’ record of concern for a safe physical environment, food, and and always available AAP staff, children. Have they really escaped safe drinking water. Other issues we including the 425 or so folks in Elk becoming victims of our neglect? discussed are the importance of keep- Grove Village who manage every Our children are important rep- ing families together and striving for detail necessary to support the leader- resentatives of the future of our family reunification plans…and the ship and our many, many member nation, and of the world. As we importance of preparedness in child volunteers. I have been constantly must recognize their value to us care facilities and schools. amazed at the talent and work ethic now and far into the continuing We also are extremely pleased that displayed by our staff in Washington, development of the human race, so key federal agencies, such as the Office DC. They have supported me and must we protect and nurture them of the Assistant Secretary for Pre- taught me everything from how to today and every day. It will be the paredness and Response…the Centers testify before a Senate Committee to voice of the American Academy of for Disease Control and Prevention… how to manage a Twitter account! Pediatrics, and the soul of each and the U.S. Food and Drug Administra- You may have read my advice every pediatrician that will combine tion…FEMA…and others…have for our next president, Tom McIn- to continue the essential message— appointed members of the Academy erny, in our AAP News. I advised We are dedicated to the health of into key disaster preparedness and him to “relish the opportunities,” all children. response positions. as his year will unfold before him Thank you all for the life-changing Obviously, these are but a few as my year has done, exposing us to opportunity given to me; and thank examples of the Academy’s many the full panoply of AAP activities you for continuing the soul-driven accomplishments that reflect not only designed to support children and work we do so that our children will our recognition of the rapidly chang- our fellow pediatricians. One of the someday soon reflect success, health, ing environment in which today’s most enjoyable opportunities I’ve and happiness.

CICERO 2013 054 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS

WINNER: LEADERSHIP/MANAGEMENT CATEGORY “Leading from the Center”

Writer: Marie Lerch Delivered to: Northern Virginia Technology Council Speaker: Ralph W. Shrader, Chairman, President and “Titans of Technology” event, McLean, Va., June 13, 2012 CEO, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.

’d like to thank NVTC for consider- in both our government and com- help safeguard our nation, to improve Iing me a titan of technology, and mercial businesses when I became homeland security against terrorist thank all of you for being here this CEO, and had had the opportunity threats. As the decade went on, we morning. Two weeks ago, I began to serve on Booz Allen’s Board almost responded to a growing threat of a dif- Booz Allen’s earnings call by referring continuously since the early 80s. So, I ferent kind: in cyberspace. back to my remarks in February about guess you could say I’m a proponent Internally, during this time, Booz an eventful winter quarter. On May of “inside” CEOs—something I’ve Allen grew rapidly– our revenue shot 30th, reporting on the spring quarter, I thought about a lot lately, as it seems upwards and we sustained a com- said: “The adventure continues.” that barely a week goes by that an- pound annual growth rate in the high- Certainly all of us in the Washing- other company in our industry names teens for the first decade of the 21st ton area, all of us who serve the U.S. a new leader. century. I saw an opportunity to real- federal government, are navigating When I became CEO, Booz Al- ize a dream I’d had for a long time— white-water conditions today. And we len was a private company with two to bring Booz Allen’s two business see even bigger rapids ahead—with distinct segments, and most of the sectors together to gain the synergies the debt ceiling, presidential elections, partner-shareholders were in the of the “power of both”– internally and prospect of sequestration before commercial management consult- within the firm and externally in the us. These are challenging times to say ing business. I had most recently led marketplace. We called this strategy, the least. But, most of us here have the government technology business. the “One Firm Evolution.” met challenges before—and don’t shy Both businesses were growing, and our It turned out that “One Firm” from adventure. biggest challenge at the time was the wasn’t meant to be. Growth was faster This morning I’d like to share some so-called “war for talent,” especially by an order of magnitude in Booz adventure stories with you, and offer among young people who saw more Allen’s government technology busi- my perspective on leading through excitement and earnings from riding ness, and the differential growth rate dramatic change. I trust there will be the dot-com boom than in coming compared to our commercial manage- ideas relevant to your own leadership to work for a traditional professional ment consulting business, the different challenges—and I’d be happy to take services firm. I remember speaking economic and people models, and a your questions at the end. Q and A to the MBA class at the University of cultural divide between the sectors really is my favorite part, so please jot Chicago in 2000, looking out on t- came to a tipping point. down some questions. shirts that read, “Will work for equity.” The inability to bridge this cultural I’ll start with a “Cliff ’s Notes A year later, the bottom fell out. In divide was the biggest surprise and les- version” of some major milestones rapid succession, the dot-com bust, son learned for me—it’s the ultimate of the past decade and a half. The Enron and Worldcom scandals, and a reason the One Firm strategy didn’t external events you’ll recognize, of global recession battered our com- work. I was convinced that the part- course. And, then I’ll talk about the mercial consulting business. And then, ners would clearly see the competitive concept and practice of “leading from September 11th. Booz Allen lost three and financial advantages of bringing the center” and how I believe that employees who were working at the all of our service offerings to all of our can provide both a way to navigate Pentagon with our Army client. I’ll clients. But our commercial leaders through dramatic change and a way never forget the memorial service we didn’t want the firm to be larger and to maintain the essential elements that held in our auditorium– many of us more successful, if it meant dilut- you don’t want to change. struggling to speak through tears… ing their vision of being boardroom As noted in the program, I’ve been and the immense sadness, disbelief, strategists. Chairman and CEO of Booz Allen and fear we all felt. Coming out of The answer was to get back to our since 1999. I had been with the firm that tragic loss—Booz Allen, like center, and at that point in our his- for 25 years in line management roles many of your companies, worked to tory—we had two centers. The forces

VSOTD.COM 055 pulling the sectors apart were stron- money for us to put into areas we taught us to ask probing questions. ger than the historical ties holding us believe have strong potential for future It’s a fundamentally different way to together. growth. These growth areas include: approach a client problem. Before we It became clear that our best path our health market area and our new start on an assignment, we ponder this: forward was a “de-merger.” And, in commercial and international business- is the client asking the right questions? 2008, 99.76 percent of shares were es that we launched last summer, after If we think “perhaps not,” we raise the cast in favor of separation. Because the the end of the three- year non-compete possibility of a different viewpoint with market value of our firm was concen- agreement with our spin-off company. the client. And, once agreed on the way trated in the much-larger government We’re also investing in cross-cutting forward, Booz Allen people are pas- business, while two-thirds of the owner- functional capabilities where we see sionate about client success. ship was concentrated in the commer- growth opportunities—specifically in Second, Core Mission. There are cial business, the government partners cyber, cloud-based services, engineering essential missions that government could not afford or borrow enough to services, and enterprise effectiveness agencies and commercial companies buy out the commercial partners on and efficiency. need to do—their reason for being. For their own. We needed a financial part- As I look back on the boom times NSA the core mission is code-making ner—and we found an exceptional one and hard times—and think about what and code-breaking… For NIH, the in The Carlyle Group, which remains works—the key has been holding and core mission is healthcare… for the our majority shareholder today. leading from the center. FBI—law enforcement… and for In November 2010, we filed for our So… what do I mean by “leading financial services companies—it’s the initial public offering. I’m happy to say from the center”? I’m an engineer by protection of assets and transactions. with much less fanfare, and much more training, and envision a gyroscope as This is important work, and in these smoothly, than Facebook. Today, Booz my mental image of leading from the lean times, we believe clients will priori- Allen is a Fortune 500 NYSE-listed center. As external conditions spin and tize to spend their funds on their core company. We were named in February swing, the center of the gyroscope— mission rather than peripheral support of this year to Fortune’s list of “The the “rotor” as it’s called—remains roles. And, we believe clients will pay World’s Most Admired Companies,” balanced and in control. The opposite for quality—not look for the lowest-cost and our May 30, 2012 earnings call image to me, is that of a windsock. I provider—when it comes to work that was our sixth straight quarter of top believe it’s essential in times of dra- supports their core mission. and bottom line growth since our IPO. matic change—in stormy conditions, if Next, Core Values. Booz Allen’s core Nonetheless, like many of your com- you will—to stay centered, not to shift values form the basis of everything panies, we are today facing the most to-and-fro with the wind. we do. The origins of Booz Allen’s challenging market conditions since As with the war on talent during the commitment to ethics trace back to the I took office as CEO thirteen years dotcom era, boom times have chal- 1930s, when one of our founders, Carl ago. This past January, as you may lenges too. Whether racing to keep up Hamilton wrote the firm’s first formal have read in the press, the Booz Allen with 20 percent growth, or grinding code of ethics. By codifying our com- Leadership Team made the difficult— out the 4.8 percent growth we reported mitment to integrity and values, he set and important—decision to reduce our this past fiscal year—it’s important to the course for the firm’s focus on ethics, senior and middle management ranks hold to the center of what is essential integrity, and professionalism. Booz and take significant cost out of our and differentiated—while being agile Allen Hamilton was one of the first overhead. In the month of January, we to seize the opportunities and meet the organizations in the United States to cut our headcount by approximately 2 challenges of the future. adopt a formal statement of its business percent overall, which included deeper For Booz Allen, the center of our ethics, which translates into the ten 10 cuts on the order of 10 percent, in our gyroscope is a circle with four quad- Core Values we live by today: (client senior and middle management ranks rants: Client Service, Core Mission, service, excellence, teamwork, fairness, and in our internal operations. These Core Values, and Culture. respect, diversity, entrepreneurship, changes were not easy, and I assure First, let me talk about client service. professionalism, integrity, and trust). you, they were not undertaken lightly. Booz Allen serves clients, we don’t sell And, the final quadrant is culture. The hardest thing any of us has to to customers. That may sound like a Our collaborative culture is defined by do in our jobs is to tell a long-serving semantic distinction, but it goes to the teamwork and reinforced by a com- partner or hard-working staff member very core of what we are. We don’t use mon bonus structure, and it extends to there is no longer a position in the firm the term ‘customer’– you won’t hear it a strong spirit of service to clients and for them. from a Booz Allen person or find it on community. Culture is more important The cost reductions have given us our website. In addition to the way our than ever—and maintaining and evolv- greater flexibility—and very impor- management consulting heritage has ing our culture is harder today. We’re tantly—they have freed up investment taught us view to our clients, it also has a big company—25,000 people, and

CICERO 2013 056 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS many of our staff members work at the is challenging for us, as I know it is continually seek opportunities to work client’s site. for many of you. Budgets are lean— together. When we compete, we want Over the past few years, we’ve and unpredictable. Large companies to compete in a way that reflects well dispersed our employees, reducing the in general, and government contrac- on our individual companies and our size of our once mega-headquarters tors in particular, are often cast as industry as a whole. When we deliver campus in Tysons Corner, VA while the bad guy. quality and value, it serves our clients opening and enlarging other offices The procurement process has well and serves our contractor commu- closer to where our employees live changed, and in many ways not for nity well. and work. The reduced commute is the better. Technical clients whose Organizations like NVTC play an good for our people and good for the missions we support are less and less important role. I’m especially proud planet—but having employees further in the driver’s seat when it comes of the pro-bono work that Booz Allen apart, hoteling staff to better utilize to decisions about contracting. And co-led with a consortium of 17 NVTC our facilities, and supporting the the current emphasis on “Low Price members to identify process and growing interest in telework—makes Technically Acceptable” awards, I technology improvements for Arlington it harder to connect and inculturate, believe does not provide government National Cemetery. especially new people. clients with the best solution or best Looking ahead, I’m excited about In hindsight, we initially focused value. When inappropriately ap- Booz Allen’s opportunities—both in too much on the facilities and tech- plied to challenging mission-critical our core federal government market nology requirements for hoteling, problems, this method of contracting and our growing commercial and and not enough on the people and inevitably leads to minimally-accept- international businesses. I believe our cultural dimensions at our center. able solutions with significant mission success lies in being essential and dif- Booz Allen has a very collaborative, risk, and reduced innovation. ferentiated—and that we will achieve team-oriented way of working, and We need to find a better balance that success by leading from the center, our most effective means of develop- because it is innovation and creative focusing on client service, core mission, ing people is through an apprentice solutions that will lead to improve- core values, and culture. model. So, we have to pay a lot more ments in quality and true long-term We know it won’t be easy. Our CFO attention to helping managers and costs savings for our clients. Cost is an Sam Strickland said on our earnings staff connect, collaborate, learn, and issue for everyone, and Booz Allen is call two weeks ago, “There’s probably grow in a distributed environment. committed to always deliver value to not a company or country in the world We’re working hard on that. clients in excess of our fees. I’m con- today that wouldn’t wish for a bit less Recognizing that it is inherently vinced there are ways to make smart excitement.” more stressful to work in times of cuts, and there are opportunities for In that regard, I’d like to close with lean budgets and slower growth—we us to help our clients make smart a quote from one of my favorite books, are redoubling efforts to connect with cuts that still preserve their important Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. our people at all levels. This year, ev- missions. Having faced too much adventure ery senior manager and leader—what Today’s market challenges are sig- already, and worried about what peril we refer to as our “top 2000” has an nificant, but they are not insurmount- the future holds, the Hobbit Frodo says explicit people commitment to en- able—not to Booz Allen, and not to to the wizard Gandalf: “I wish it need hance connection and understanding your companies. We need to look for not have happened in my time.” of our culture. On Monday of this shared solutions, not opposition and “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do week, as part of my people commit- blame. all who live to see such times. But that ment, I hosted a town hall that had The political rhetoric in Washington is not for them to decide. All we have to both a live audience and was webcast and the culture of frustration among decide is what to do with the time that to thousands of employees. vocal elements of our citizens obscure is given us.” Leading from the center around this fundamental reality: Government, The Hobbits didn’t have a gyro- client service, core mission, core industry, and employees are on the scope with them on Middle Earth, values, and culture has served Booz same team, facing the same challenges. but Gandalf ’s wise advice gave Allen well for 98 years. In the past We are working toward the same goals Frodo the perspective to navigate the 13 years that I’ve led the firm, we’ve on missions that matter—missions that challenges ahead and stay the true seen markets boom and bust, we’ve matter to our nation’s security, health course. changed our ownership structure, and safety, and economic prosperity. Colleagues, these are turbulent and spun off a historical part of our Collaboration on the part of our times. These are the times that are business—but our central precepts as industry is essential. Booz Allen has given to us, and there’s no question an institution have not changed. teamed with many of you—large busi- that it’s our time to lead—to lead The present market environment nesses and small businesses—and we from the center.

VSOTD.COM 057

WINNER: PHILOSOPHY/RELIGION CATEGORY “Oak Hills Church, Discovering God’s Story”

Writer: Duarte, Inc Delivered at: Oak Hills Church, Speaker: Randy Frazee and Max Lucado San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 1, 2012

ello and welcome. I’m Randy just less than two years. This has also much-needed medical care, and have HFrazee, the Senior Minister at opened amazing doors for sharing the been able to share the message of Oak Hills Church. We’re excited that Gospel. As a result, many thousands Jesus to thousands of previously un- you’ve taken the next step in finding of people have not only received the reached people up and down the Rio out what it means to be a member gift of clean water, but they have Coco River. The transformation has of our community. I’d like to begin heard and experienced the Living been dramatic, with countless stories by exploring God’s grand story. You Water of Jesus Christ. of mothers whose children had be- see, God’s been writing a story since Now, let’s go back to the western come weak and listless from parasites the beginning of time. His story has a hemisphere so I can tell you about now being happy and energetic. purpose but he’s not finished writing the Miskito people. The Miskito are So what do these two stories have it yet, and everyone has a part in it. an indigenous tribe that has lived in common? Why did I take the time We want to help you discover your along the Nicaragua’s Rico Coco to share them with you? part in this story and your role here River since the 1800’s. Through- Each of them is about a group of at Oak Hills Church. out their history, the Miskito have people who saw a need and made But first I’m going to take you remained autonomous, and in 2009 themselves available to meet it. across the world to Burkina Faso. they officially declared their inde- These are stories about the Burkina Faso is a small land locked pendence from Nicaragua. Their Church: God’s church at work, country in West Africa, the world’s independence, however, has led to making a real impact on the lives third least developed nation. Gaining isolation. They receive little to no of individuals. And they show us access to clean water has been a chal- intervention or support from the gov- that we serve a great God who does lenge for the people of Burkina Faso ernment or other organizations. This good things. for a long time. Take, for instance, the isolation led to mal-nutrition, disease, I share these stories with you to village of Salipour. The 600 residents and unsanitary living conditions, give you a glimpse of what the world of this small village have never tasted which make them especially suscep- looks like from God’s perspective. or even seen clean water before. The tible to parasites. If you don’t know And when we look at things from only water they have access to is dirty what at parasite is, let me tell you, God’s perspective, we can better runoff from creeks during the rainy it’s not pretty. Parasites make their understand the big story He is telling season. When those places dry up, home in the human body and weaken through the body of Christ and how their only other option is to walk six the immune system from fighting we fit in to His overall plan. At Oak miles to the nearest water source, off disease. It is not uncommon Hills, we like to think of this as God’s which is a large pond. for a Miskito mother to see worms grand story. It’s what He’s been work- Things changed dramatically for crawl out of her children’s noses and ing on since He created the universe Salipour when the first deep water mouths at night as they sleep. and His plan has not changed. If I well was drilled in the village. Several years ago, a group of were to sum up the major theme of This well provides all the villag- Christians felt called to reach out to God’s story in one single sentence, ers with a clean source of water and the Rio Coco region of Nicaragua here is how I’d say it: “I want to give will literally save them hours of time to minister to the Miskito people. you a way to come back to me so we they used to spend retrieving it. This Within a short time, it was clear that can do life together.” It’s as simple as well is just one of many wells trans- one of the most impactful things that. He wants to be in community forming the lives of individuals by they could provide for the people was with us. providing access to clean water. To medicine to treat the parasites. Since If we look at the story of Adam date, over 75 wells have been drilled, their work began, they have distrib- and Eve in Genesis, we see that they with each supporting on average 400 uted 120,000 anti-parasite pills to the existed in perfect relationship with people. That’s 30,000 people who 12,500 people living in the region. God. He created a big universe full now have access to clean water in Along the way, they have provided of life and beauty that was capable

CICERO 2013 058 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS of sustaining all that He created. But Remember those stories I told you YOU to carry out his mission. His ultimately, it’s because He wanted in the beginning? Those people who desire is for individual Christians— to come down and take a walk with have provided clean water for thou- you and I—to align our lives to His us in the garden—our neighbor- sands in Burkina Faso and anti-par- story and participate in the expan- hood—to hang out and do life with asite medicines in Nicaragua? They sion of His kingdom here on earth. us. Yet because of their sin, people are all members of His body—and I love what Paul tells the Ephesians (including you and me) fell out of they’re members of our Oak Hills in his letter to them: “I take it that relationship with God. But here’s the body, too. you’re familiar with the part I was good news: since that time, He’s been Geoffrey and Suzanne Richter given in God’s plan for including working on getting us back. The rest began serving as missionaries here in everybody...” Paul wrote his letter to of the Old Testament tells of God’s the U.S. back in the 1990s, working the Ephesians from a prison cell, and continual efforts to restore relation- with the needy in Utah, Oklahoma, even in the midst of personal discom- ship with His people… and Texas. That work stirred a long- fort and persecution, He was aware Whether it was Noah and his fam- ing in the Richter family to be used that He had a part to play in the ily surviving the flood, or by God on missions in the develop- much bigger story God was telling. Abraham and Sarah having a son ing world. In November 2008, their And he knew he wasn’t the only one. in their old age, or prayers were answered when Oak Listen to His words from Ephesians Joshua leading the children of Hills Church sponsored them on 2: “God is building a home. He’s Israel into the Promised Land, or a trip to join the Dagara Mission using us all—irrespective of how we Isaiah’s prophecies about the Mes- Team in Burkina Faso, where they got here—in what he is building. He siah soon to come… would help run a water resource used the apostles and prophets for All of these stories are part of development operation. In partner- the foundation. Now he’s using you, God’s relentless pursuit of His people ship with Living Water International fitting you in brick by brick, stone by and point to the central character in and local churches, Geoffrey and his stone, with Christ Jesus as the corner- the story—the person who changed teams rehabilitate broken wells and stone that holds all the parts together. everything. Jesus Christ is the culmi- restore water to villages among the This idea of participation in nation of God’s plan to restore His Dagara people in Jesus’ name. As of God’s grand story is where Oak Hills vision for community and relation- December 2012, they have brought Church draws its mission statement: ship. All of the Old Testament clean water and the Word of God to “We are the Body of Christ, called pointed to the first coming of Jesus, 40,000 Dagara people. to be Jesus, in every neighborhood in where He arrived in a manger as Scott Felder was a successful our city and beyond.” our King—100 percent man and 100 builder of homes in Austin, San An- We’re living almost 2,000 years percent God—to bring us back into tonio, and Dallas. As God continually after Paul and in Texas…an ocean relationship with Him. Now we, as blessed his business and family, Scott and thousands of miles away from His body, get to participate in God’s felt called to bless others by doing His work with the early church. But original vision for community. He missionary work in downtown San God’s mission for His church has not has invited us–you and me–to be a Antonio and Dominguez prison. To changed. That’s why we’ve embraced character in His story as we eagerly grow his Spanish skills, Scott took his the call to be Jesus to our cities. await His coming. family to Mexico for a three-month And our cities need us. Let’s look You see, when you accepted Jesus language course. But when a hur- at needs of the San Antonio and Hill as your personal savior, you became a ricane hit Central America, it was Country area: member of the Body of Christ. As His clear God had a bigger story in mind. Over 47 percent of Bexar County body, our mission is to extend the pres- Scott helped organize relief efforts to Births are to unmarried mothers. ence, purpose, power, and promise of hard-hit regions in the rain forest of That’s significantly higher than that Jesus on earth. We are literally called to Nicaragua, where he met and fell in of the U.S. average of 41 percent. be His “hands and feet” in the world, love with the Miskito people. He was Within that 47 percent, the teen birth carrying out His work and bringing moved to found the non-profit Messi- rate for 15-19 year old girls is 50.9 the good news of His love to others ah Project to minister to the needs of percent. This, too, is well above the so that they can come to know it now the Miskito people, which has saved national rate of 39.1 percent. That and experience it eternally. By joining thousands of lives and spawned 120 is a lot of young women in need of His mission of restoration, we as the church bodies all over Nicaragua. support. Body of Christ are working to establish In both of these stories, they The Mayor has reported that His kingdom. This is what Jesus meant joined their passion with God’s demand for food assistance in San when He said in Matthew 4:17 “the purpose and it resulted in thousands Antonio increased by 33 percent, Kingdom of heaven is at hand” of lives changed. You see, God wants and 40 percent of the demand for

VSOTD.COM 059 emergency food assistance went would our communities look like? structure has enabled us to offer our unmet. What’s more, trends indicate How might they be transformed? members “big church resources, that corporations and foundations are This led us to define a bold vision [with a] small church connection,” making fewer donations, so funding as a church community. Our vision is and it has allowed us to connect with for operations has been significantly to see: the presence of Christ in every our neighbors in our city and beyond. reduced, and it’s not looking like it’s neighborhood, a decision for Christ in The Oak Hills Church community is going to get better any time soon. every seeker, and the maturity of Christ already present in hundreds of neigh- That’s a real challenge when 19.5 in every disciple. We accomplish this borhoods in San Antonio and the percent of San Antonio residents live through our members who have found Hill Country. But we’re not finished below the poverty line. We also have a small band of believers in their com- yet. There are over 3,000 neighbor- a growing refugee population, with munity with whom they belong, grow, hoods in the greater San Antonio about 1,000 refugees relocating to the and serve. These three words sum up area, so that means there are still city each year. These are people from what we desire to create. thousands of neighborhoods we have all over the world who have fled their Our hope is that when you set foot yet to reach. Maybe one of those countries as a result of armed con- in one of our campuses or meet an neighborhoods is yours. flict, violence, religious and political Oak Hills member on the street, you I firmly believe that God put you persecution, human rights violations, immediately feel a sense of belonging right where you are for a reason. As and natural disasters. and being welcomed. Community is Paul says in Acts 17, He marks out These needs might feel over- about caring for one another, and we our appointed times in history and whelming, but each one of them all need a place of belonging so we the boundaries of our lands. He does represents an opportunity for us as know who to go to when we hit a trial this so that people who think God a body to do something, right here in our life. We want you to find that is far away will realize that he is not in our city. That’s why Oak Hills at Oak Hills. Being in community very far at all. You see, God deter- is committed to empowering our also helps us grow in our relation- mines the exact place and the exact members to be the body of Christ in ship with Christ, as we are sharpened time for you to live and He has a very their neighborhoods. There is no way by one another and spurred on to specific purpose in mind for your life. we, as one organization, could meet good works. We’re so much stronger My wife and I experienced the all these needs on our own, but we together than we could ever be indi- truth of this first hand when we were see the church as an organism where vidually when we use our talents and living in Chicago. When we moved to every believer is a minister. As Jesus gifts to serve others. Chicago, we thought it was an oppor- says in Matthew, when two or three We have been very intentional in tunity to connect in ministry at Wil- gather together in His name, He how we have structured Oak Hills to low Creek Church. Our intent was to promises to be in their midst and do reflect this vision. While Oak Hills be there seven years; we believed that great things. may seem like a mega church at first, this was God’s plan at that time. It Back in 2008, the leadership team it’s really a network of mini-churches. was a big move; we were leaving be- at Oak Hills began wondering: what Our ministry efforts are designed hind everything we had built over 22 if we had a small band of believers in to support and not compete with years of life and ministry in Dallas. every neighborhood whose commit- our neighborhood communities. We We quickly developed relationships ment was simply to be the presence have multiple campuses throughout with families in our neighborhood in of Jesus to their neighbors? What San Antonio and the Hill Country the suburb of Barrington. We had could we do? We began to imagine because we believe in the value of fun times with our neighbor Bill and people opening their homes and proximity; you should not have to his family, playing the banjo and apartments to provide a place of be- drive far to meet with your church golfing. About a year and a half after longing and family to those who lived body. These main campuses are we moved to Barrington, Bill came nearby. We envisioned our members where large gatherings take place. knocking on our door one evening. helping one another grow up in They help us facilitate activities like He was facing a major crisis; he was Christ by meeting in their homes student ministries and classes like this in a season of hardship and his mar- to pray and read the word together. one. Sharing the same teaching every riage and life were falling apart. He Then we thought: what if this group Sunday via video helps us stay unified needed a friend to confide in and he of neighbors agreed to be Jesus— as a large church body. came to me because I was nearby, right where they were—to demon- Each location of Oak Hills has just four houses down the street. Bill strate the love of God to the rest of a campus minister and community shared his story with me because we their neighbors who were needing ministers that work directly with had built a friendship by hanging out help or seeking God? To do one our members who are out minister- together for the past year. I shared thing: to simply serve them. What ing to their neighbors. This unique some guidance about the foundation

CICERO 2013 060 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS he would find in a relationship with put us in that specific neighborhood, discover your part of the story? Jesus Christ, and over the next few for those specific families. This wasn’t That same sense of purpose lives hours and days I walked him through about me; God was using me to reach on in my heart today. I know with- the Gospel of John. Bill accepted Bill and his family. out a doubt that I am part of God’s Christ and three weeks later, he and You see, God determines the exact grand story, that He has put me here his entire family came into relation- place and the exact time for you to for a reason, and that YOU are part ship with God and were baptized. live and He has a very specific pur- of His story, too. If any of what I After only three years in Chicago, we pose in mind for your life. That pur- shared today resonated with you, moved to San Antonio. We started pose for your life might not be about I invite you to find your place here to think about our time in Chicago you, your future, or your agenda. at Oak Hills. When you become a and what it meant and pretty soon it The Christian walk is about discover- member of this body, you will find a became clear that, maybe, this move ing what God is up to and what His place to belong, grow, and serve in had nothing to do with us. God had plan is for your life. Are you ready to the midst of community. Thank you.

WINNER: TECHNOLOGY CATEGORY “Getting to the Future Faster”

Writer: Hal Gordon Delivered at: cPanel Conference 12, Speaker: Nick Koston, Owner, cPanel Houston, Texas, Oct. 9, 2012

elcome to the cPanel 2012 mission statement. Our mission is to one day soon, they will. Here’s why: Wconference. This is the seventh make cPanel universally synonymous In 2011, there were between 150 year that we have held this event, with dependable hosting and server to 300 million active web sites on and all I can say is that it just gets automation solutions. Shakespeare the Internet. That same year, cPanel better each year. once asked, “What’s in a name?” hosted between 12 and 25 percent Two crowded and stimulating Good marketers know the value of a of them. No other single entity has a days lie ahead. Our program offers name. So do good executives. larger footprint in our business. 36 sessions on a range of stimulat- How many of you know cPanel’s We’re not synonymous with web ing topics, conducted by 42 industry original name? Believe it or not, it hosting—yet. But we’re working on it. experts. Over the next two days was “DarkORB.” That was my idea. To help us fulfill our mission, we you’ll have many opportunities to I thought that name sounded really have company values. network and share ideas. You’ll have cool when I founded the company At cPanel, we take pride in being the chance to interact with cPanel’s at age 14. But I soon realized that • Honest highly-knowledgeable employees. it didn’t sound very professional. I • Inquisitive Your potential to acquire useful and also realized that “DarkORB” would • Resourceful profitable knowledge is unlimited. never be synonymous with top qual- • Respectful I can sense your anticipation over ity web hosting the way that other • Results-Oriented what’s in store for you here; it’s brand names are synonymous with • Strategic palpable. other products and services. • and Agile As your keynote speaker, I have For example, when people think • We’re also passionate; but our three topics to brief you on this of facial tissues, they think Kleenex. passion is always tempered with morning: When they think of lip balm, they reason. First, cPanel’s mission as a com- think ChapStick. When they think cPanel also has three strategies to pany, and our mission strategies. of adhesive bandages, they think help us fulfill our mission: Second, our goals for the immedi- Band-Aid. When they think of pho- • We listen. ate future. And third, an update on tocopies, they think Xerox. When • We support. cPanel’s three recent acquisitions: they think of search engines, they • We release carefully. Sitocity, Attracta and WHMCS, and think Google. Let me say a few words about how these acquisitions will further When people think of web host- each of our strategies: our strategies and goals. ing, we want them to think cPanel. First: We listen. We take pride in Like most companies, cPanel has a And we have every confidence that offering the best possible service to

VSOTD.COM 061 our customers. To make sure our perience for customers and enhances advantages that we expect to derive customers are satisfied, we spend a customer loyalty. from each acquisition, and how they lot of time listening to them through I’ll have more to say on diversity will help us further our goals. a variety of venues. These venues in a few moments, when I talk about First, Sitocity: include community forums, con- our recent acquisitions. cPanel’s primary business is de- ferences and phone calls. We also Second: Operational efficiency. veloping software that allows host- keep in touch with our customers We want to improve operational ef- ing providers to grow and prosper. by monitoring support tickets and ficiency by Obviously, the better we know our feedback over the Internet. • Increasing self-service operations, customers, the better we will be able The amount of feedback we • Increasing automated operations, to meet their needs by designing bet- receive can be overwhelming, but • Optimizing and defining processes, ter software. we pride ourselves in hearing our • And applying strategic decision Accordingly, as I pointed out be- customers’ ideas on what they want making to reduce overall effort re- fore, at cPanel, we listen. cPanel has in upcoming versions of cPanel and quired both internally and externally. always been anxious to gain deeper WHM. We also want to hear how we To put it in plain English, we insights from our customers and can provide better service. want to streamline our operations their customers. Second: We support. The support so we can do more with less, reduce Unfortunately, this is not easy to we offer our customers is world class. costs, and allocate our resources do because hosting companies have We hire the best employees. We more effectively. All this so we can their own goals to pursue and their provide ample room for growth. We concentrate on the things that will own operations run. This is not a maintain direct engagement with de- really grow our company. All this business where our customers go out velopers, quality assurance analysts makes for better employee, customer of their way to tell us that everything and technical analysts. and partner satisfaction. is going just fine. Usually, we hear Third: We release carefully. Every Third: Good market citizen- from our customers only when some- new feature we add to cPanel goes ship. cPanel strives to practice good thing has gone wrong. through extensive testing, numerous market citizenship. How do we do So for cPanel to operate a small reviews, and an extensive feedback that? We recognize that success is hosting company gives us a great process. We strive for perfection. not a zero-sum game. We don’t start deal of information that previously We know that bugs cost you money. out with the assumption that what’s we either could not get, or at least They also reflect badly on the high good for cPanel will necessarily be found it difficult to get. While cPanel level of service that we always strive good for cyberspace. We know that has no intention of competing the to offer our customers. the success of our company depends hosting market, acquiring Sitocity To implement our strategies, we on the overall health of the hosting will give us a deeper understanding have goals. industry. We know that we prosper into how website owners use cPanel’s What are our current business as our industry prospers. So we want software. goals? What do we want cPanel ac- to make strategic decisions that are Second, Attracta: complish in the near term? good for the industry as a whole as Attracta, bundled with cPanel & We have three primary goals at well as cPanel. WHM, adds features to our cus- this time: Now I want to fill you in on cPan- tomers’ web hosting services that • Revenue diversity el’s recent acquisitions, and how they will ultimately help them sell more • Operational efficiency undergird our strategies and goals. hosting. Attracta is a free search • Good market citizenship About a year ago, I was asked in engine optimization offering. At- Let me tell you more about each an interview if there was ever a time tracta automatically generates an of our three goals. that I thought this company was XML sitmap for a given website and First: Revenue diversity. We want headed in the wrong direction. I re- submits that sitemap to the major to diversify our revenue streams by plied that I never really thought we search engines—such as Google, Ya- • Entering into strategic partnerships. were heading in the wrong direction. hoo!, Bing and Ask. That makes for • Developing new marketable I just always think we’re not getting better, faster indexing. Attracta also technologies, and there fast enough! provides marketing tools to monetize • Capitalizing on under-utilized I suppose I’ll never think that we’re site content, and an App Store to markets. getting there fast enough, but our automatically install popular web Diversifying revenue streams three recent acquisitions—Sitocity, At- based applications. enhances our overall revenues. In tracta, and WHMCS—are going help Attracta is used by hundreds of addition, it provides potential stan- us to get there a whole lot faster. top hosting providers—including dardizations, makes for a better ex- Let me highlight briefly the HostGator, BlueHost, HostDime,

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BrainHost, UK2.Net and HostPapa. management. These features were With this new agreement, web Attracta’s core technology is its Mar- offered with a full technical support hosting providers and hosting keting Dashboard and Portal that system built-in—including ticketed resellers will benefit from a unified allows website owners to monitor the support, service announcements, and approach, in addition to gaining ac- financial health of their website. The a hierarchical knowledge base tool. cess to different resources and areas Attracta integration with cPanel al- Millions of users worldwide often of expertise. As a result, customers lows seamless access to SEO services used cPanel and WHMCS in the can enjoy tighter integration and an from within the cPanel interface. past. But the distinct nature of these optimized exchange of information When the user accesses the SEO two different tools previously forced between the two individual plat- Tools in cPanel, the user’s registra- hosting companies to use both tools forms. tion and configuration is automated. separately in order to manage a sin- To sum up, I ask you to remem- This automation includes adding gle account. That duplication added ber our mission statement: When the sitemap directive to the robots. to the companies’ administrative people think of Web Hosting, we txt file and factoring in redirected workload. The heavier administra- want them to think cPanel. And we domains. Often, users have difficulty tive workload increased the com- have every confidence that one day updating site components like their panies’ expenses and affected their soon, they will. robots.txt file. Or they may encoun- ability to deliver fast and responsive As I look ahead to the future, I ter problems in including additional customer service. think of something that the great site software by adding the necessary To create a more integrated solu- French writer Victor Hugo once code to their site. Attracta auto- tion for web hosting providers, cPan- said. He said: “The future has sev- mates these processes by integrating el, and WHMCS created a new part- eral names. For the weak, it is the with the user’s cPanel account and nership to deliver a more cohesive impossible. For the fainthearted, it is Apache. This, in turn, gives our cus- solution—a solution that includes the unknown. For the thoughtful and tomers the ability to add additional both control panel functionality and valiant, it is the ideal.” free and paid services without having billing capacity. Because of the strik- At cPanel, we know ourselves to to manually modify their site. ing similarities between the histories be thoughtful and valiant—as well as Finally, WHMCS: of cPanel, Inc., and WHMCS Ltd., dedicated, hard-working, creative— Like cPanel, WHMCS was origi- the new partnership between these and super smart. So we have every nally developed to fill a specific gap two companies enables them to work confidence that for us, the future will in the tools available to web hosting collaboratively toward common be the ideal. providers and web hosting resellers. goals. Since both companies have Thank you all. I hope you will WHMCS offerings included auto- similar business priorities and values, enjoy the conference. And now I mated account provisioning, domain their strategic partnership works to turn the floor over to Aaron Phil- management, email functionality, their mutual advantage and also to lips, cPanel’s vice president of multi-currency billing, and order the interest of their customers. operations.

WINNER: COMMENCEMENT/CONVOCATION CATEGORY “Treat Time as a River”

Writer: Aaron Hoover Delivered at Miami Dade College, Speaker: Bernie Machen, President, University of Florida Miami, Fla., April 28, 2012

hank you, Samantha, for that ter- the largest and most dynamic higher- Hall—or email, if I can help a Trific introduction. education institution in the nation. fellow Shark in Gator country. We Miami Dade College trustees, This is a great day, and I will be can’t wait to see you! faculty, families, friends, and especially, thrilled to have my MDC honorary Graduates, this afternoon, your graduates of the Class of 2012 … degree and—with all due respect to achievement stands as an outstanding greetings and congratulations! It is the Florida Gators—be an MDC example to your communities; to your an honor to join you here at Kendall Shark. I hear that a few of you siblings and friends; and, for some Campus, in beautiful Miami, and will be joining us at UF in the fall. of you, your own children. For those most of all at Miami Dade College, Come by my office at 226 Tigert graduates who have partners, I want

VSOTD.COM 063 to applaud those partners—for stand- cultures foreign to their own. it—I was scared. But she insisted. So I ing by you, and for pitching in more That wisdom of the world, which mustered all my courage and walked than their fair share so that you could we strive to instill in all college students, through the doors alone. earn your degree just as my wife, already dwells within each of you. My first surprise was that I got the Chris, did for me. You live in Miami, one of the nation’s job. My second was that as my hours To the parents and grandparents most multicultural cities. You gather piled up in the store, I grew to like and here, I applaud you as well. Being a from more than 58 different countries respect this man—and he, to like and father of three college graduates my- at MDC, a richly diverse university respect me. self, I share your joy—and your relief! that graduates the highest numbers of Before long, I left Lambert’s and And finally, to MDC faculty, your minorities of any college. Four out of headed off to college. But the expe- professionalism and personal attention five of you trace your roots to Cuba or rience taught me a lesson that has helped these graduates reach a mile- Latin America. endured for my whole life: Never rely stone that will enrich them in ways we Those origins place you among on the opinions of others. I try to begin cannot even imagine. This moment is the nation’s fastest-growing minority relationships with openness, and to form what our lives’ work is all about. population of more than 50-million my own judgments of people. As you might imagine, I’ve been Hispanics—in an America where in I believe that lesson is at the heart part of a few commencement cer- about 35 years minorities will become of my career, which has followed an emonies in my time. In fact, you the majority. unusual path. Although I trained as a won’t believe this, but I gave my first You are among a privileged group dentist, earning both a doctor of dental commencement address fifty years ago of new college graduates who know our surgery and a master of science in this summer, as a senior in high school country and world as they are becoming. pediatric dentistry, I found my calling in in Missouri. It’s true. Chris still keeps You won’t have to catch up to the times. higher-education leadership. I am the an old copy of my speech around to The times have to catch up to you. only dentist who is a major university torture me. As Miamians and MDC graduates president. I devoted part of that speech to as- entering a world of fewer national barri- It wasn’t my technical education or tronaut John Glenn, who in that year ers, your multiculturalism equips you to dental skills that got me here. I wasn’t of 1962 had become the first Ameri- form strong bonds across countries and born into this role, and no one gave me can to orbit the world. He launched cultures. This ability will accelerate your any special favors. I oversee a $5 billion from here in Florida aboard a Mer- careers and increase your incomes, and budget without an accounting degree; cury space capsule called Friendship 7. it will also boost the world’s global stabil- a major sports conglomerate with no We were in the midst of the Cold War, ity, from economics to human rights. background in sports management; and and Glenn’s flight brought great relief But while your cultural and language a huge university health science center that the U.S. could compete with the fluencies will help you do good as you do with no recent experience in health care. Soviet Union. well, they will not be enough. Especially But I do know something of dealing with But his historic trip did something in our divided times, it will be crucial for people. And my leadership responsibili- that has far outlasted the rivalry between you to look deeply within yourselves to ties require managing 12,000 of them, our superpowers: It connected the U.S. bring compassion and acceptance to all in every race, religion, nationality and with friendly nations in a way we had your ventures. personality type. never been connected before. That bond I’ll tell you another story. I was the In your personal interactions, do not was brought home by Glenn’s flight over oldest child in a middle-class family of be a fortress, steeled against people. Be a Australia, where residents of the city of five in a suburb of St. Louis. Like many forest, serene and open to them finding a Perth turned on their lights in a glowing of your parents, my parents believed if I path to your heart. “hello” to the American astronaut pass- wanted something, I should work for it. I I began this afternoon talking to you ing by in the dark loneliness of space. started doing odd jobs when I was eight about John Glenn and space. I want to I have no doubt that, this weekend, years old, and by high school, I needed end by telling you something about time. other commencement speakers at other my first real job. When I was in college in the wake campuses around the nation are telling It was just before Christmas, and our of John Glenn, everyone recognized graduates that if they want to succeed, town’s department store, Lambert’s, space as the new frontier. Today—with they have to learn to connect with other was hiring. There was only one hitch: the shuttle Discovery’s installation at the parts of the world—just the way Astro- Everyone was terrified of the owner, Smithsonian bringing a symbolic end to naut Glenn did five decades ago. They who chased teenagers out of his store the space age—there is less consensus are advising that we live in a global and was widely reviled as the meanest about where the greatest promise lies for economy now, one that requires profes- businessman in town. Nevertheless, my you. Some say it is globalization. Others, sionals to work in different countries, mother, a school teacher, told me to innovation. But I would like to suggest speak multiple languages, and thrive in ask him for a job. I did not want to do that one of your great frontiers is time.

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Everything in your world insists that pening in the here-and-now, or what Treat time not as a race but as a river, time is instantaneous. Tweeting, texting, awaits down the road. Instead, they exist bearing you slowly and gently into the Facebook: All give you and your smart in that strange moment that accompanies wide gulf of adventures and experiences phone so much information, so quickly, the incoming text or news flash—the that map who you are. they seem to collapse time, leaving you moment just beyond the present but The author William Faulkner wrote, with scarcely any time to respond before never far enough ahead to call the future. “Only when the clock stops does time the next burst of incoming information. They’re seizing every instant and losing come to life.” His point was that life is And technology is only part of the every day. most complete when you give yourself urgency of 2012. Politics and fads … As the graduates of 2012, your the luxury to embrace it in all its rich- success and fame … human relationships generation is destined to live longer ness. Not just work and weekends. Not … all seem to flare and fade in an instant. than any generation in history. I want just personal passions and travel. But Or perhaps I should say, “Instagram.” to assure you that you have time. And I also, friends, families and children—all That is the photo-sharing company want to suggest that your frontier is to enjoyed with leisure and appreciation. Facebook just purchased for a billion recapture and revive your time. Because As MDC graduates, you are already dollars. It was formed by a dozen twenty- time is truly: A gift. light speed ahead of your contemporaries somethings less than two years ago. So, my take-home message is: Slow in the cross-cultural proficiency that—just From Instagram to the iPhone, today’s down! Breath! Be in the present! Think like John Glenn—will make you friends sense of urgency has generated a great about today! Today! Find the time to ask and bring you success wherever your deal of financial success. This wealth may yourselves … what’s the hurry? Consider careers take you. But do not forget that or may not be real, as recent booms and the moment. Open yourself to unsched- you also have an ocean of time. busts teach us. Either way, I believe it has uled possibilities. So, have the longer-than-text conver- come at a cost. That cost is the sense of Take the class outside your major—it sation. Read the thicker book. Take the hyper-alertness, just short of frantic, that may speak to your soul. Meet the person extended vacation. Linger with fam- prevails throughout our society. not planned into your day. She or he ily. Lengthen all of life’s celebrations. People are not learning much from may become your life’s partner. Visit a Especially the one this afternoon—you the past these days. As a matter of fact, new city on a whim—you may decide to deserve it. Thank you. they aren’t really fixated on what’s hap- make it your home.

BEST SPEECH BY TYPE OF OCCASION: DEDICATION/GROUNDBREAKING “Art as an Ambassador”

Writer: Aaron Hoover Delivered at: Harn Museum of Art, Speaker: Bernie Machen, President, University of Florida Gainesville, Fla., March 30, 2012

hank you, Rebecca. It is a pleasure And that … ladies and gentlemen When students need to be prepared to Tto be here tonight! … that purpose is the education of our live anywhere and communicate with We are gathered this evening to students. anyone, art has a timeless legacy of dedicate the David A. Cofrin Asian Art How do we prepare our treasured initiating cultural contact—like the ce- Wing. We will be the first to see the new students for success in the 21st century? ramic wares on display in the new wing, wing, and I know I’d better keep my This is currently the subject of urgent which remind us of the Silk Road where remarks short, or you’ll push me aside to national debate about the character and diverse peoples have crossed paths for get through those doors! content of higher education. 2,000 years. So let me make a simple observa- We must equip students for this era Art broadens awareness. It can bring tion: This Asian Art Wing and the art it of instantaneous global communication, clarity and depth of field to one’s career cradles is not ours to dedicate. Not really. economic upheaval and rapidly chang- and personal life. And it can help to Art is the expression of our cultures and ing cultural mores. On that we all agree. inspire a happy life, an outcome surely histories, our personalities and stories. And, yet, there are vastly different opin- as important as economic success. Art belongs to everyone. Our role—re- ions about how to shape university-level I want to tell you about a current UF ally, our privilege—is to make that ex- education to achieve that preparation. junior named Kayla Shahum [SHAH- pression of humanity a part of the most At the University of Florida, we be- hum], who last semester visited the enduring purpose of this university. lieve that art must be part of our toolkit. Harn as part of a class exercise.

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The day of her visit, Kayla was raphy who routinely brings his classes the Harn’s Korean, Chinese, Japanese, thrilled to finally get away from sitting in to the Harn, commented, “You can see Indian, South and Southeast Asian col- a lecture hall. And she appreciated the little lights going on.” lections. chance to see and touch real art, rather Those little lights may not be as mea- The exhibitions tell many stories … than viewing it on yet another Power- surable as standardized test scores. But of the jades of the Ming dynasty, of Point. … Has anyone else here seen one they satisfy our deepest responsibility Chinese women artists of the 18th and too many PowerPoints? as educators, which is to open students’ 19th centuries, of the Silk Road. What mattered most for Kayla was eyes to new and unfamiliar landscapes. What you won’t see, but what you the magical way the Harn opened the And today, no new and unfamiliar should know, is that the Harn is unique- door to the uncomfortable topic of the landscape may be more important than ly equipped to tell these stories. Its two class, which was grief. the one our students will confront in the dedicated endowments for Asian art Guided by Professor Jane Houston growing countries of Asia. acquisitions and its endowed curatorial and Harn curators, the students looked We already have a variety of classes position in Asian art makes the Harn a at different artworks and talked about that revolve around Asia; study abroad leading university teaching museum for how they shed light on the many aspects programs in Asia; and the UF Beijing Asian art. of the grieving process. The discussion Center. But that is not enough. For our students and for us, the Asian was honest and fresh … and it got Kayla Works of art—the works of the weaver, Art Wing will be many things—a place thinking for the first time about the rich the ceramics maker, the film maker—are to learn, to interact, to engage in quiet possibilities for art in her career. ambassadors for their countries and cul- contemplation. But the art here also rep- You see, Kayla and her classmates tures. If want our students to know China, resents our passport to the landscapes need to become experts at helping oth- Korea or India, we must introduce them and cultures that are most important to ers cope with grief. They aren’t studying to the countries’ ambassadors. our future. As Professor Smith said, art art, museum science or art history. They The Harn’s Asian art collection is turns on little lights. are students of nursing. rich and extensive, but most of it has Who knows what future awaits our To date this academic year, the Harn been locked away in storage. With the graduates as they find their homes has welcomed Kayla and 3,566 other opening of the Asian Art Wing, we around the globe? The world is full University of Florida students in class set these works free to continue their of clashes of misunderstanding and visits. The classes come from journal- diplomatic mission to our students and conflicts of civilizations. But a shared ism, engineering, sociology, architec- the world. understanding of art gives us a shared ture, English and medicine. They even Nothing I can say can match the understanding of humanity. It promotes come from IFAS! If you speak to these experience of the five exhibitions in the acceptance and appreciation. It gives us students or their professors, you learn new wing. So, let me simply note, there direction. It shows us an Earth the way it that more than a few have experiences are about 400 works of art on display appears from space at night, with those like Kayla’s. this evening, each carefully selected little lights twinkling throughout every As Nigel Smith, a professor of geog- from the more than 2,000 pieces in civilization. Thank you.

WINNER: EULOGY/TRIBUTE CATEGORY “Remembering Melosina Harm”

Writer: Lani Jordan Delivered at: Mackinaw, Ill., Speaker: Lani Jordan July 8, 2012

ometimes you have to travel five you know someone on a day-to-day and many friendships in Mackinaw. Sthousand miles and go back nearly year-to-year basis. The loving mother But until seven years ago, I don’t 70 years to really know someone. and grandmother. The accomplished think any of us really knew who she was. For the three Harm sons and five gardener. The amazing cook. Siina’s story is that of a bright grandchildren, Siina was an influential Like us, I expect most of you know and capable young woman, wife and presence every day of their lives. The the basics of the journey Melosina mother whose tremendous courage, same holds true for the many years her and her husband, Doctor Manivald, independence and faith helped estab- daughters-in-law shared with her. We all took from their native Estonia to reach lish a strong foundation for the Harm certainly knew her, of course, in the way America and build a home, a life and family in America.

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The Harms, as you probably know, the dozens of people we would meet into scripted into the German Army. Siina, built a lovely home in the late 1960s on context. Each addition brought a story, back home on the farm, was forced to rolling acres on the edge of Mackinaw. very few of which any of us—including work in the Communist party office in Siina very capably served as general her sons—had heard. In these conversa- the nearby city of Voru. contractor for that project, creating tions and many since, I really came to August 1944 brought a critical an attractive and inviting home and know this bright, beautiful and very brave confrontation between the German and lush grounds. There’s no question dark-haired, gray-eyed girl—Melosina Russian armies. Staffing the office over that, aside from her family, this home Kirotaja from a farm less than 20 miles the lunch hour, 23-year-old Siina an- was her proudest achievement. Each from the Russian border. swered the phone. “Give your superiors and every detail carefully considered, On a sultry July morning in 2005, this message,” the voice said. “It’s time budgeted and executed. I’m certain the our little green bus pulled down the to withdraw.” electricians, plumbers and others who farm lane in Navi, Estonia. Past the Siina knew exactly what this meant. labored on this project never forgot low wooden barn from which young The office—and its entire staff, including working for the firm, but fair, lady with Siina would lead the family cows to the her—was being ordered to retreat, across the thick accent. pasture across the way, a chore she never the big lake and into Russia. It was a Almost exactly seven years ago, minded because it gave her a chance to terrifying prospect for a student and loyal ten of us—the Harm sons, wives and read and daydream. We rolled into the Estonian national. grandchildren—took a life-changing farmyard and piled out. Then several of So this young woman made a brave trip to Estonia. There for the first time, us froze in place. Seated at a low table and dangerous choice. we met aunts, cousins and scores of was the image of the mother and grand- She didn’t wait for her superiors to friends. These were the family members mother we’d left behind in Mackinaw— return from lunch. and future generations left behind when her older sister, Aksella. She gathered her things and pedaled Mani and Siina escaped Estonia in the But the uncanny resemblance didn’t her bicycle back to the farm. final months of World War II. end with Siina’s sister. As Aksella led us At home, an urgent decision was Those who know Siina, won’t be on a tour—through the tiny farm house, made. “You’re not safe. You’ve got to get surprised by this. We were prepared as into the sauna and out into the gardens— out of here,” her family urged. She and a group to handle the arrangements, I had this feeling I’d been there before. Aksella hastily stitched a backpack. She the transportation and all of the many And then it came to me. From the cor- stuffed it with vital possessions, including details, dividing up the tasks and getting rugated metal coverings for the fire wood, her irreplaceable university transcript the job done. But one evening, about five to the overhanging back porch roof. From book. Mounting her bicycle, she waved months before our departure, I received a the raspberry patch to the flower gardens to her parents, brother and Axella calling call from Siina. to the outdoor table set with beautiful out “I’ll be back for Christmas.” Then “Hello,” she said. “Do you have a dishes and linens. In building her house she rode down the farm lane, the same paper and pencil? I am going to give you in America, on the outskirts of Macki- one she used to lead the cows and the your itinerary. Begin to write.” naw, Illinois, Siina had done everything same one by which we arrived on that And so I did, writing furiously as she possible to recreate her beloved home farm many years later. She turned on to laid out minute-by-minute the days of in Navi. The home she left suddenly in the dirt road and pedaled away. visits from one corner of Estonia to an- August 1944. It was nearly 50 years until she other. I’m sure it took hours on the phone As the 1940s began, Siina and her returned. to Estonia and lots of support from Mani high school classmate—“town boy” That same backpack, by the way, is in on his faithful computer, but it was all Manivald Harm—were immersed in a box in the house on John Lane. While there—right down to commandeering their studies at Tartu University, she in we were at the family farm, Aunt Aksella the local bus and driver to come to the pharmacy and he in medicine. A ro- produced the remnants from the 60-year- capital to collect us and chauffeur us from mance blossomed. She claims he pursued old project. site-to-site, from farm-to-farm and from her, and one day—wearing a suit he The next few months found her ped- memory-to-memory. borrowed from his brother—Manivald aling at night, sleeping in barns, joining Since the fall of Communism, they’d proposed on the Angel Bridge that links with other young Estonians on the run, each made trips “home.” Now it was our two high bluffs in the university town. stealing and killing a goose. Knowing her turn for what sister-in-law Mary Ellen Those sweet days were short lived. cooking, I’m certain that stolen goose refers to as our Magical Mystery Tour. As World War II escalated, Estonia was delicious. All the while, the wartime The weekend before we left, my found itself the object of a ping-pong grapevine kept her connected to Mani own family headed from Minnesota to match between occupiers Germany and who urged her to get out and head for Mackinaw where Siina and I spent hours Russia. Students and intellectuals of all Germany, for her a far better option than at the kitchen table sketching the Harm kinds were suspect. The university was capture by the Russians for whom nearly and Kirotaja family trees so we could put closed. Manivald found himself con- 50 years of occupation would soon begin.

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As she told me story after story about with lots of love, joyful times and now in-law who learned that a sprinkle of those months, the depth of her faith and and then a little bit of frustration. fresh dill improves almost everything, her spiritual foundation became clear. I’d like to share with you memories and to nephew Alex who now makes Siina truly believed that God was leading of the Siina I knew and loved. the pancakes. So far he hasn’t learned to her, time and again. Here are three truths to which she force feed us “just one more.” Leading her when she turned down held fast: She could juggle. I remember her the opportunity to take a boat to Germa- First, the Three Stooges and Mad at family gatherings keeping three balls ny, a boat which sank with all on board. magazine are the roots of all evil. Her or even three oranges in the air for an She later made her way south in the back bans did not, however, prevent Matti, extended period. of a truck, hiding among cargo with her Tom and Eric from clandestine viewing Having watched nephew Geoffrey in trusty bicycle. and reading. action with similar challenges, I think he Leading her when she awoke one Second, food is love, more food is got that talent. morning in 1945, a displaced person in more love, and pork products—especially And, if there was an Olympic Germany, and announced to her land- sausage—are the ultimate in affection. competition for worrying about your lady, that despite having had no recent On many occasions around the fam- family, she’d have more gold medals than word from him, Manivald would be ily breakfast table when, with everyone Michael Phelps. We all knew that if there returning to her that day. He did. already stuffed, she would look at the lone was any major weather event within 200 Leading her when the two of them pancake on the platter, ask if anyone was miles of our homes, we were sure to get a decided to marry on Christmas Eve 1945 still hungry and, upon hearing we were call wondering if we were safe. in Tubingen, Germany. I once asked her all full, would march off to the kitchen to She also taught us. About the impor- why they picked the busy holiday. “We whip up another batch. In her mind, the tance of education and making good had nothing,” she told me. “At least we worst failure was that one of us might be choices. The names of flowers and birds. would have the church bells.” left with just the teeniest bit of room. We And, for someone who had lost fifty pre- Leading her, Mani and little Matti all lived by the expression “just shut up cious years with her own beloved parents, when they wrote a letter asking the and eat.” siblings and cousins, the value of family. Arizona church that had provided the And, most important, she believed Years ago, she shared two fears with CARE package they’d received to spon- her three sons and five grandchildren to me. First, she worried that once she and sor their immigration as refugees to the be the most wondrous individuals God Mani were gone, her grown sons and United States. has ever placed upon the earth. We just their families, spread across the United Siina was raised a Lutheran, the pre- slightly above average daughters in law States, would lose their connection. dominant Estonian denomination. Dur- occasionally found ourselves on a bit Nothing could be farther from ing our visit, we all joined Aunt Aksella shakier ground—and we never did learn the truth. When the call came from and other family members for Sunday which dish to put the pickles in—but Manivald that she was gone, we were worship at the blue and white church in we knew she loved us and respected the all together on the every-other-year which she was raised and confirmed. strong women we are. beach vacation that all of us anticipate But she was also deeply rooted in the Beyond her educational credentials so much. Estonian belief that life and spirituality and unending quest for knowledge—she Although it had been some years were connected to nature, particularly the never stopped subscribing to medical since she and Mani joined us, she trees. It’s no accident that her Mackinaw publications—Siina also had a number relished the vision of all of us together home is nestled in a thick grove. of talents. at the ocean—by choice, savoring one Even as she set down roots and lived She could take an armful of weeds another’s company. Somehow I know out the next six decades in far less tumul- and within minutes turn it into a floral that at some level she and God had tuous central Illinois, the brave young arrangement that would make Martha made a deal on the timing of her last woman at her core remained strong. Ma- Stewart green with envy. days. When the call came that Siina nivald built his medical practice. She as- She could make gravy from air. Mani- was gone, we were not scattered across sisted him with her pharmacy, x-ray and vald is a sauce man. No meal is complete the country, but together to mourn and office skills. At the same time, she raised without gravy and she could whip up the comfort one another and tell the stories her sons without the support of extended tastiest sauces from almost nothing. I’d of how much she loved us and how she family—the Estonian grandparents, put her up against any Culinary Insti- sometime drove us crazy. aunts, uncles and cousins, all left behind tute graduate. We’re lucky that her love Years ago she also confided her fear and living under Soviet occupation. and skill in the kitchen has been passed that without her and Mani, the con- The years passed and she became the on—to son, Matti, our resident margarita nection to Estonia would end. As you mother and grandmother we all knew and salsa maker, to my daughters who now know, we erased that worry with and loved. A woman who was amazing, have taken over the holiday tradition of our 2005 journey, as well as subsequent but also very human, surrounding us Estonian kringle bread, to we daughters- trips made by her granddaughters, one

CICERO 2013 068 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS of whom studied at that same Tartu she crafted a connection from her past dallions , each one inscribed with one University. Today, the 20-30-something to her present. of our names to hang on our 10 trees, generation of Harm and Kirotaja And as much as I will miss her every and an eleventh bearing Mani’s and cousins is securely connected. As we day, I am grateful that she did not have Siina’s names. told her upon our return, we took five to realize any of these fears, instead slip- By planting a tree, our cousins Americans to Estonia and brought back ping peacefully away. explained, we were leaving a part of our five Estonians. During that wonderful, magical spirits in Estonia. I was blessed in the last few years to journey to Estonia seven years ago, the Seven years later, those trees still have many wonderful solo visits to the family members there gave us a long- grow. They will continue to grow. And lovely spot we now refer to as Little lasting gift. somehow I know Siina’s sprit is there in Estonia. As we sat drinking coffee in One morning, our little green bus that grove, joining those pieces of our the kitchen or sipping wine and watch- was routed to a pasture adjacent to a spirits we left in Estonia, just as her spirit ing the birds that flocked to her feed- cousin’s home. There, in buckets, stood remains in the rolling acres surrounding ers, she fretted about what the future 11 tree seedlings along with a pile of her beloved Mackinaw home. might hold. shovels. In the warm July sun, we dug, Rest well, dear Siina, in the knowledge That she would be infirm. That she planted and watered. that your courage, your spirit and your would be dependent. That she would When we finished, these newfound independence have deep roots and will have to leave the beloved home where cousins presented us with wooden me- continue to grow in each of us.

WINNER: STATE-OF-THE-INSTITUTION CATEGORY 2012 Leadership Breakfast: Be the Difference

Writer: Kim Clarke Delivered at: University of Michigan, Speaker: Mary Sue Coleman, President, University Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 30, 2012 of Michigan

ood morning! changing work of the institution, and by This year, 2012, is the centennial of GThank you all for being here, and the contributions of leaders like you from Raoul Wallenberg’s birth. I can think of thank you to those on campus and be- all three campuses. no more important occasion to dedicate yond who are joining us virtually. When we talk of Michigan and our work as a university to the values he Our thoughts are with all those on impact, one name rises above all others: lived. He loved to learn, he had an appe- the East Coast who are enduring Hur- Raoul Wallenberg. tite for adventure, and he embraced new ricane Sandy. I hope you know his story. After earn- people and different places. We gathered in this space a year ago, ing his architecture degree here in 1935, He was, and is, a hero of the high- and I believe we were lucky to squeeze he went on to become one of the most est order. He showed us, more than any onto the calendar this October. When noted humanitarians of the last century. Michigan graduate, that one person can Steve Ross made his historic gift eight As a diplomat in Budapest, Raoul make a difference. years ago, we knew it would elevate ev- Wallenberg repeatedly risked his life to Could we, as students and scholars, erything about the Business School. But I rescue thousands of Jews from World ask for greater inspiration? don’t think anyone predicted the demand War II’s concentration camps. *** for this view. So thank you, Steve, and He pulled them from moving boxcars. The University of Michigan is indeed thank you to the Ross Business School for When Nazis forced them to walk to the an inspiring place. And that is because of hosting us this morning. camps, Wallenberg chased after them, the ideas, discoveries and service of our This is a special year, for me person- shoving food and medicine their way. students, staff and faculty. ally and, more significantly, in the life of He found countless ways to shelter In the room today we have students the University. terrified men, women and children trying like Conor Lane, an honors senior who I’ve had the privilege now of leading to survive in what was, by then, the last works as both an RA at the Residential the University for 10 years, and it has surviving ghetto of Jews in Europe. College and a volunteer at the Spec- been a decade of challenges, transfor- He saved some 100,000. And then he trum Center. mation and tremendous momentum. I disappeared at the hands of strangers. And Jasmine Injejikian, who is leading continue to be energized by the life- We are still seeking answers about his fate. this year’s Dance Marathon. That’s hun-

VSOTD.COM 069 dreds of students dancing, for 30 straight the University’s earliest days. Let’s begin with the arts. hours, to raise thousands for children The first black woman in America The Michigan environment for arts with disabilities. to train as a dentist did so here—more and creativity is remarkable. Remark- We’re joined by staff like Dan Rife, an than 100 years ago. As did the first able because it is of a scope and scale engineer who combines new technologies African-American woman to earn a you won’t find at other national research with human expertise to conserve energy doctorate in physics. universities. throughout our campus buildings. And When an Ivy League school rejected We make art, we research art, we pres- Lt. Col. Lisa Franz, who leads our Air José Barbosa in 1877 because of his race, ent art and we preserve art. Force ROTC program, one of three of- Michigan welcomed him. It can be this weekend’s perfor- ficer training programs at Michigan. Our students said they did not care mance of Urinetown by UM-Flint the- We have faculty like Carla O’Connor, about his skin color. In their words, what ater students. Or the Kelsey Museum’s an engaging Thurnau professor who is truly mattered was “the quantity and study of antiquities. It is the exhibit of bringing her love of teaching and men- quality of the brains in the cranium.” priceless Armenian books at UM-Dear- toring to the dean’s office of the School Brains in the cranium. Doctor José born. Or Band-o-rama at Hill Audito- of Education. Barbosa would go on to become the rium, itself a work of art and campus And professors like Michael Boehnke, father of statehood for his native Puerto icon for the past century. a world-class statistical geneticist in the Rico. We do art and science very well. What School of Public Health. His break- This legacy of inclusion and leader- binds the two is our capacity for creativ- throughs help us better understand the ship brings with it a deep responsibility to ity. And that is because of a culture that heredity of diabetes, bipolar disorder and live out our values. encourages creative work and creative other debilitating diseases. We work hard at creating and sus- approaches. I want to recognize four deans who taining a community where diversity is It is an environment in which the are in the final year of their leadership sought and valued across all pathways— University has invested $84 million since tenures. Terry McDonald of the Col- racial, ethnic, gender, LGBT, global and 2004. That includes a stunning addition lege of Literature, Science and the Arts, socioeconomic pathways. We still have to the Museum of Art, a Symphony Evan Caminker of the Law School, Peter much work to do. Band tour of China, new programs for Polverini of the Dental School, and Paul That is why I am so pleased that LSA architecture students, and more studio Courant of the University Libraries have will launch a new theme semester called and gallery space. carried out extraordinary work in one of Understanding Race in January. It is an This morning, I’m excited to say the University’s most fiscally challeng- important example of just how critical it our creative environment is expand- ing eras. Their programs are collectively is for us to think substantively about race ing—again. stronger because of their good work. and identity and to encourage a thought- The School of Music, Theatre and I also want to acknowledge Fran ful dialogue about these issues. Dance is a point of pride for Michigan, Blouin, who is stepping down as the *** with talent that is second to none. longest-serving director of the Bentley I am a firm believer that knowledge is Now, these students, faculty and staff Historical Library. Fortunately for our contingent. The work we do today, and are going to enjoy new and improved students, he will be devoting himself full- the accomplishments we celebrate, would surroundings to express their creativity, time to the classroom starting next fall. not be possible without the faculty, staff thanks to the vision of longtime Michi- *** and students who came before us. gan donors William and Delores Brehm. At Michigan, we know—because it is When this year’s Nobel Prize for The Brehms are generously providing borne out each day—that our diversity is medicine was announced, one of the $8 million toward the renovation and ex- the backbone of our academic strength. winners was recognized for research he pansion of the Moore Building, a trans- Diversity is a core value of this carried out 50 years ago. Fifty years. His formative project we will ask the Board institution. It is in this room, across our discovery about tadpole cells has a direct of Regents to approve next month. campuses, and wherever the University impact on stem cell research conducted We anticipate new rehearsal rooms, of Michigan is in the world. today, including in our laboratories. studios and a lecture hall, as well as In the course of my decade here, This is the beauty and power of improved space for one-on-one time be- I have taken great pride in Michigan scholarship. The commitments we make tween faculty and students. With the re- being the nation’s leading voice for the today will have impact 20, 30 and 50 gents’ approval, this will be a $23 million value of diversity—in the classroom, in years from now. undertaking. The University will provide the research lab, and in all parts of the That is why I am excited to share with $14 million, and we will seek additional academic enterprise. you some of our most significant achieve- support from alumni and friends. But this is not simply an outcome of ments and challenges, as well as several I know the faculty from Music, The- the last decade. This is deeply embedded announcements that will take Michigan atre and Dance will agree when I say this in our culture and sense of identity from in new directions. project is overdue. It’s genuinely exciting,

CICERO 2013 070 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS and complements new spaces such as We know of no other university that a long history of freshwater research. the Walgreen Drama Center and Arthur is studying itself this way. This survey More than a century ago, our scientists Miller Theater. will take place every year and will were working to determine why the For more evidence of Michigan’s provide an objective barometer of our whitefish population was down in Lake capacity for creativity, we have the new sustainability culture. St. Clair. Today, the Great Lakes are a Penny W. Stamps School of Art and I announced this survey a year ago as source of food, recreation and jobs— Design. part of a broader sustainability initiative some 1.5 million jobs that carry $62 As you may know, Penny is a Michi- for the University. Since then, we have billion in yearly wages. gan graduate who with her husband, launched the Dow Scholars program, an If you were to look for a country with Roe, has made a historic $32 million unprecedented program for 300 graduate a higher GDP than the Great Lakes investment in the School of Art and De- students that accelerates how we teach region, there are only two: the United sign. Their generosity is wide-ranging— and research sustainability. States and China. supporting student scholarships, as well This focus has evolved and strength- As a university, we need to take on as global experiences, visiting artists and ened in recent years, with the early ownership and responsibility of regional designers, and community programs. support of donors such as Dow, Don sustainability challenges that affect us— Art and design schools are sometimes Graham and John Erb. They have shown close to home and where our expertise overlooked, but not here. Penny was on what it means to commit to sustainability can have enormous impact. The Water campus a few weeks ago, and was so at the very core of personal and institu- Center will do that. enthusiastic about this gift. It is a magnifi- tional values. I want to thank John Erb and his cent feeling, she said, not only because John Erb, who is with us this morning, family foundation for supporting our she loves supporting the creative process, recently asked where I want to see the work and for continually pushing us to but because the Stamps School is “not University of Michigan in the realm of do more. just an art school.” sustainability 10, 20, 30 years from now. The Great Lakes hold one-fifth of the It’s part of a major research institution. I have been thinking a lot about that world’s freshwater. One-fifth. Compro- That is what gives the School of as we set aspirational goals for Michigan’s mise their health and integrity, and the Music, Theatre and Dance, the Stamps leadership. damage will be felt far beyond our shores. School—and all our schools and colleg- I know, we all know, we’ll need to do Which is why it is so critical to pursue es—their strength: the combined exper- a better job building facilities, affecting not only local partnerships, but also in- tise and creativity of so many disciplines. human behavior and consumption, and ternational ones—relationships that pull Indeed, pursuit of the arts at Michi- challenging our energy usage, even as we together different perspectives to tackle gan is not a stand-alone enterprise. It’s manage the world’s largest public univer- the world’s toughest challenges. not about decoration, it’s about cre- sity research portfolio. *** ation—creation that is deeply rooted in But also, we must see the University Doing more—more research, more our interdisciplinary setting. as a global leader in educating a new service, more collaboration—means be- It is this distinction that sets us apart. vanguard of sustainability experts. It is ing more global. When the Stamps School underwent here, on this campus, where tomorrow’s Eighty years ago, when Raoul Wallen- reaccreditation a few years ago, it drew sustainability leaders will build their berg was a Michigan student, he abso- high praise from the visiting team. Michi- knowledge broadly, across the disciplines, lutely relished new people and different gan, they said, is getting it right. To quote, and carry that into the world of policy cultures. As an international student from “the School of Art and Design and the and practice. Sweden, he visited Detroit, New York, University of Michigan have created an We should be known as the univer- Chicago and New Orleans. He and a opportunity to lead the academic conver- sity with sustainability research, cur- classmate drove to Mexico one summer. sation in art and design in this country.” riculum and opportunities that make a Another summer he hitchhiked to Cali- *** real difference. fornia, and on up into Canada, and then We want to drive the conversation in In that spirit, today I’m pleased to an- thumbed his way back to Ann Arbor. other areas, too. nounce the establishment of the Univer- He called his travels “training in diplo- This month, the University is survey- sity of Michigan Water Center. macy and tact.” ing members of our community about With the support of the Erb Family Now, the parent in me does not sustainability. We want to learn how Foundation, this is a new $9 million com- recommend hitchhiking. But as university people think and behave when it comes mitment to the Great Lakes region. We president, I strongly endorse more global to the environment. will focus on four critical areas: reducing opportunities for our students and faculty. By scientifically measuring and report- toxic contamination, fighting invasive Just yesterday we learned that Michi- ing our behavior as a community, we can species, protecting wildlife habitat, and gan students lead the nation in this year’s work to make changes for the better of promoting the health of the coastlines. Fulbright grants. the planet. The University of Michigan has I should say, once again lead the

VSOTD.COM 071 nation. For the sixth time in the past respond in positive ways. Two months ago, the world lost a eight years. We currently have five undergraduate true pioneer with the passing of Neil Fulbrights support global study and students enrolled through Science With- Armstrong. His walk on the moon was are among the world’s most competitive out Borders. They are with us—and I one of the truly monumental achieve- and prestigious programs. I’m think- look forward to welcoming more students ments in science innovation—not only ing they’re becoming somewhat routine in the future. in this country, but anywhere. around here. These students strengthen Michi- Think of the research, the cre- But, of course, no international expe- gan, with their ideas and their experi- ativity and hard work that went into rience is ordinary. ences. They bring a new perspective. Apollo 11. NASA, industry, universi- Consider Brazil. My recent trip there They demonstrate why we must, ties and others came together with with a faculty delegation provides fertile absolutely must, pursue true, bilateral their research and their inventions. territory for our work as a university. partnerships—to succeed and thrive as It was the ultimate embodiment of The country has seen enormous a great institution. American innovation and collaboration. economic progress in the past 20 years As one university, we don’t have Now also think of this: The com- and its vibrancy is palpable. Both the all the answers. But working together puters on Apollo 11 had less process- federal and state governments are invest- with many, our potential takes on an ing power than today’s smartphone. ing heavily in education and in advanc- entire new magnitude. That is why we continually invent, ing science and technology, and are Which is why we are partnering innovate and educate. To discover new developing ways to move the previously with universities in China, Ghana knowledge. To move forward—as a disadvantaged into the middle class. and South Africa, and why I’ll lead a nation and as a global community. I anticipate exciting collabora- faculty delegation to India next year. Michigan’s research portfolio stands tions resulting from our conversations It’s why we, as an institution, are com- at an impressive $1.27 billion—billion. throughout Brazil. Several members municating in Spanish, Portuguese That exceeds the entire budget of of the delegation are with us today— and Mandarin. We’ve joined Weibo, Monaco. No public university in the please give us a show of hands. I want China’s version of Twitter, and are world invests more in research. everyone here to know how expertly the now considered the most influential It’s research that is more relevant University was represented on this trip. American university in that space. than ever. Our discussions fell into three catego- Global impact is why we chose We are now the first university to ries: medicine and health, humanities to be the first public university in lead an entire satellite launch pro- and social sciences, environment and Coursera, the massive online learn- gram, a $152 million venture en- natural resources. At the University ing community. And the key word trusted to us by NASA. This project is of Sao Paulo, for example, there was here is massive. designed to better understand hurri- intense interest in how we as a university More than 1.3 million people canes, which results in more accurate are addressing sustainability. worldwide are enrolled in courses. storm predictions and, ultimately, The Brazilian government is making Michigan faculty are teaching six lives saved. impressive investments in education classes, with a seventh planned for Hurricane Sandy is showing the with a bold new scholarship program January. Professor Gautam Kaul’s importance of forecasting, and it’s called Science Without Borders. The introductory finance course alone at- gratifying to know our scientists will goal is to educate 100,000 students tracted a staggering 133,000 students! contribute to even more refinements. by sending them abroad for a year of These courses are free, and they We also see lives being saved with a study, specifically in STEM disciplines. give us a way to connect with new new research project that has thou- That’s science, technology, engineering students, whether in Michigan or sands of vehicles throughout Ann and math. Macedonia. Coursera fits neatly with Arbor using technology to communi- Brazil wants to achieve this goal by our public mission of sharing knowl- cate with each other. With the support 2015. At the moment, there are 1,000 edge. We are also optimistic that it will of $22 million from the Department students in the program, so you can see help transform our classroom peda- of Transportation, this technology the challenges. But it is one that leaders gogy as well. is alerting drivers to trouble on the are willing to pursue. *** road. It may well lead to an 80 percent Brazil wants half of these stu- Optimism is an equally critical reduction in crashes. dents—50,000—to attend college here, ingredient for new discoveries and That’s impact. in the United States, and our embassy in technologies that spring from our Our health system—including Uni- Brasilia is trying to help with this complex laboratories, clinics and studies. Re- versity Hospital and Mott Children’s goal. We were able to meet with the U.S. search universities fervently believe in Hospital—continues to be among the ambassador and, since we better under- improving the world, and we do so in best and safest in the country. stand the issues, I am confident we can diverse ways. We have been selected as the home

CICERO 2013 072 CICERO SPEECHWRITING AWARDS for a new $21 million federally funded to participate in MCubed, our new Isn’t that what we want from our center for HIV research. The Univer- funding program that connects re- students? To have an amazing experi- sity’s two largest grants from the Na- searchers across campus. We are com- ence here, but know their real value tional Institute of Health support the mitting $15 million to some 250 team is when they move on and apply their Comprehensive Cancer Center and projects that are admittedly high-risk, lessons? the Michigan Institute for Clinical and but also, potentially, very rewarding. Could Raoul Wallenberg have Health Research. Both were renewed MCubed has grown out of our envisioned the horror of war and the this year, and with glowing comments Third Century Initiative, a $50 million heroics he would display in World War from the NIH. investment in teaching and research II? Of course not. But he knew the The North Campus Research that we announced a year ago. This importance of taking Michigan with Complex is attracting more people is a commitment taking us up to the him, because the lessons would help and programs. This includes the University’s bicentennial, and a third shape the future. new Institute for Healthcare Policy century of creative thinking. Just how deeply is evidenced with and Innovation and more than 400 We want to know: What are the us this morning. researchers committed to promoting different ways the University can ad- Irene Butter and Andrew Nagy are high-quality, equitable and affordable dress the world’s greatest challenges emeritus faculty, and I’d like to invite health care services. and opportunities? And what types of them to stand for a moment. We believe the Institute will be the immersive learning experiences can Professors Butter and Nagy de- largest in the country for such work. we create for students? voted more than 85 combined years Today, we are announcing its first We are eager to fund innovative to teaching, research and service. Dr. director, Dr. John Ayanian, a highly answers. Beginning next month, the Butter was a professor in the School respected researcher we’ve attracted Provost’s Office will be asking you, of Public Health and helped write our from the Michigan of the East, Har- members of our community, for your state’s Public Health Code. Dr. Nagy vard University. best ideas. is a space scientist with the College of His expertise will give IHPI na- When we talk about innovation and Engineering who was involved with tional prominence and help us recruit creativity, we know that Michigan staff numerous NASA projects. even more top experts. are essential to this culture. We see it But long before they were scholars, Dr. Ayanian is on campus this week with Planet Blue, with Voices of the they were scared Jewish teenagers and I’m thrilled to introduce him. John … Staff, and with MHealthy. living through the Holocaust—she John needs to be at the Michigan Today, I’m pleased to announce in Holland and he in Hungary. Each Union shortly to welcome a summit of we will recognize the creative staff survived, although members of their national health care leaders, and I ap- contributions with a new Presidential families did not. Professor Nagy him- preciate him spending time with us. Innovation Award. With both words self was saved by Raoul Wallenberg. The Michigan passion for entrepre- and dollars, we will honor individuals As Holocaust survivors and mem- neurship is flourishing. and teams for ideas that make Michi- bers of our community, these two Our scientists are declaring record gan a better place to live and work. scholars have dedicated themselves numbers of inventions—more than The Chronicle of Higher Edu- to the humanitarian spirit with their one a day this past year. The Venture cation consistently recognizes our longtime service to the University’s Accelerator, based at NCRC, is of- campus as one of the best university Wallenberg Medal and Lecture. ficially full with 18 startup companies workplaces—it happened again this The Wallenberg Medal honors built on U-M research discoveries. We summer—and Michigan staff help compassionate, global work, and past thought the Accelerator would take create that climate. recipients have included Elie Wiesel, three years to fill, and it took less than *** John Lewis and Nobel Peace laure- half that. That Michigan is an invigorating ate Aung San Suu Kyi. Just last week, Students are enrolled in our first place to live, learn and work has been one of our past honorees, Dr. Denis class of candidates for a master’s in known by generations. Mukwege, was the target of assassins entrepreneurship. Here at the Ross When Raoul Wallenberg was because of his tireless mission to save School, the Zell-Lurie Institute is winding down his time here, he rape victims in the Congo. ranked second in the country among wanted to stay. The words on the Wallenberg top graduate programs in entrepre- “I feel so at home in my little Ann Medal are direct: One person can neurship. The ZEAL clinic is up and Arbor that I’m beginning to sink down make a difference. running, connecting law students with roots here, and have a hard time imag- Professors Butter and Nagy, you student entrepreneurs in need of legal ining my leaving it. have done just that with your scholar- counsel. “But,” he observed, “I am not do- ship and your dedication to the Wal- Faculty are beating down the doors ing anything very useful here.” lenberg legacy. Thank you.

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Today, in the 100th year of his Surely Raoul Wallenberg did not enjoys college. Not so much because of birth, we will do more to promote the graduate intending to become an interna- good grades. But rather, “because I re- spirit of Raoul Wallenberg. tional symbol of moral courage. But his ally feel that I’ve learned something.” I am thrilled to announce the remarkable deeds provide inspiration for This is our mission as a great uni- establishment of the Raoul Wallenberg today’s Michigan students, and this new versity. Fellowship for undergraduates. This is a award will serve to encourage careers That our students learn and grow, new $25,000 stipend to be awarded to dedicated to service and human rights. evolve as leaders, and come to see a graduating senior who demonstrates *** themselves in a different light. a deep commitment to selfless work. Let me close with one last Wallen- That our staff and faculty teach We want to help a new graduate berg snapshot. and grow as well, changing people dedicate the first year of his or her life He has just completed final exams and places with their discoveries and path to this calling. and his freshman year. In a letter home, contributions. It will now be among the Univer- he tells of staying up all night, studying That we all believe we can—and sity’s largest prizes for undergraduates. chemistry with friends. It’s not his best will—make a difference, as individuals Its name carries great importance subject and he knows it. He is thor- and as an academic community, dedicat- and even greater expectations. oughly exhausted. ed to transforming our state, our nation And we will begin with a graduating And still, he says, it has all been and our world with ideas and actions. senior from the class of 2013. worth it. He has made friends. He Thank you.

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