Sample Excerpts from Speech: Junior Achievement/Atlanta Business Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony

 

(Handled Evening Script, Honoree Video Scripts and Honoree Bios in Atlanta Business Chronicle from 1995-2000)

 

We find ourselves today in the midst of exciting and turbulent times. Discussions of the national priorities that will affect the future of this nation are on the table. It is more imperative than ever before that we strive as an organization to bring the message of economic freedom and opportunity home to our youth. To say that our futures lie in their hands is far more than just a common cliché. It’s reality. Ensuring the strength of that future is a tremendous responsibility and one that Junior Achievement has never taken lightly.

 

Junior Achievement serves over 21,000 local area youth, kindergarten to the 12th grade, bringing them together with a small army of volunteer businesspeople. Through programs that explore business and economics related issues, these young people are guided and prepared for their future in the workplace and society at large. And by providing comprehensive material, training, and support, Junior Achievement ensures that even the most nervous volunteer is a success. Volunteers discover that they don’t have to be economics experts in order to make a difference. Just honest and committed.

 

Tonight we come together to pay special tribute to three outstanding individuals who, during the course of long and distinguished careers - which of course, are far from complete - have made incalculable contributions not only to the city of Atlanta, but to the fundamental ideals of Junior Achievement as well.

 

Each of these men are, in their own way, larger-than-life heroes to the city of Atlanta, and their contributions go far beyond their actual accomplishments. Contributions that were no doubt made possible, in part, by their common roots in Junior Achievement. Through their commitments to their respective causes, these men created a legacy that does great honor to the enduring ideals of Junior Achievement: economic freedom, initiative, self-discipline and motivation. And that motivation comes naturally when you’re truly inspired by a worthwhile purpose. Something that’s true for each of these gentlemen.

 

And while we’re speaking of inspiration, I’m reminded of the story of the unfortunate fellow who was taking his usual shortcut home from work through the local graveyard. It was quite dark and he didn’t notice the freshly dug grave awaiting a burial the next day. One wrong step and he fell right in. It was quite a deep hole and try as he might for the next hour to both climb out and call for help, he still remained stuck with no rescuers on the way. Totally exhausted, he sat down in the corner and promptly fell asleep.

 

Along came another hapless stroller, made the same wrong step, and into the hole he went as well. With no moon out that night, he didn’t notice his fellow grave-mate snoozing in the corner. Struggling mightily for several minutes to no avail, his rather loud efforts awoke the first gentleman, who watched the new arrival making the same futile efforts to escape that he had. From the dark corner of the grave, the second gentleman heard a low, calm voice say, “You can’t get out of here.” But guess what. He did!

 

He had some real inspiration. And I must say, I’m inspired, just being in the same room as these guys, so without further ado, let’s move on to the awards.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, the Atlanta Business Hall of Fame inductees for this year are:

 

Mr. Bernard Marcus

Ambassador and Mayor Andrew Young and

Mr. Donald R. Keough