I’m told that many years ago, when comedian Jack Benny was being honored on a night like this, he came to the podium and said this, “I may not deserve this award, but I have acute arthritis and I don’t deserve that either”.
Well, I don’t have arthritis and whether I deserve this award or not, I’m going to accept it with deep gratitude and great humility. It is an especially important honor for me because it comes from Junior Achievement, an organization for which I have had enormous respect for as long as I remember.
I also value this honor for another reason. While I have known and worked with many of your earlier Hall of Fame members, I am especially close to at least two of them.
Back in 1994, you gave this honor to J. Dwight Peterson, one of the very early chairmen of City Securities Corporation. The late Mr. Peterson and I had a special relationship because I married his daughter Patty, and treasured him many years as my father-in-law.
Then just two years ago, you gave this award to John Peterson, the current chairman of City Securities—the son of J. Dwight and my brother-in-law for so many years. So at long last I am catching up with the rest of the family.
I’ve admired the work of Junior Achievement for many years. For many thousands of youngsters, you have painted a positive image of American business and have encouraged many young people, without apology, to pursue careers in profit-making organizations.
I don’t need to remind you that about every 20 years in this country we go through a period of anti-business sentiment where company executives rank near the bottom of the heap in public opinion. I must admit that on occasion—as in recent months—those wounds are self-inflicted.
Names like Enron and Bernard Maedoff remind us that a few business tycoons who used to show up on magazine covers are now languishing in prison.
In such times as these, we need to remind our critics that those who commit such misdeeds are a very tiny fraction of Americans in business. We need to say forcefully that the overwhelming majority of those who lead our business enterprises are honest, fair-dealing persons who operate with integrity in the public interest.
We must not apologize for seeking to make fair profits for ours is the engine that powers our economy and delivers an ever-increasing standard of living for millions of Americans.
Something the legendary P.T. Barnum contended back in the 19th century is no less true today. Barnum said this, “Money-getters are the benefactors of our race. To them we are indebted for our institutions of learning, and of art, our academies, colleges and churches.”
As one who has been heavily involved in higher education, various charities and organized religion for well over fifty years, I can testify that P.T. Barnum’s observation couldn’t be more accurate.
Finally, let me respond to a question I frequently get from business associates and friends—How would you describe the one thing that has influenced your 90 years of longevity?
It would be my faith!! I believe that God created me and that he will decide when my life is to be terminated. In other words, I believe God is in control of my life and therefore I prayerfully look to him for guidance and for direction.
During my lifetime, a few events have taken place where the results have not been what I had hoped for or even prayed for. Instead of becoming bitter and becoming discouraged, I have accepted the results as being God’s choice for my life.
This has been an enormous aid in my dealing with disappointment and with loss, and has been the catalyst in moving me on to the next challenge with a confident and joyful heart.
In closing, I’m confident that Junior Achievement will continue to stress the positive virtues of American business and enterprise as it works with Hoosier youth in the years ahead.
And for that reason, I’m doubly proud tonight to accept this honor from such a worthwhile organization. Thank you again and God Bless Junior Achievement and God Bless the United States of America!!!
