Thu, Jun 10, 2010
Speech given at Illinois College Gala Dinner
The world is in urgent need of great leaders who are committed to real change by bringing peace & prosperity to the planet we all share. Congressman Paul Findley who has put every effort into bringing people together throughout his life, is one of these rare individuals.
I have known Paul for more than twenty years. From the day I met him in 1989, I felt that he is genuine & honest & somehow I knew that I had a friend for life. The Al Habtoor Leadership Centre is my simple message to our American Friends that we need more leaders of my friend Paul’s calibre.
Strong leaders - who refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice & who are ready to put what is right above their careers. Concerned leaders - with the courage to speak out against cruelty, injustice & human rights violations. Caring leaders - with policies designed to help society’s weakest & poorest. Visionary leaders - with new ways of tackling the problems that threaten our world such as conflict, threats from disruptive countries, climate change & shrinking natural resources.
I know there are many people with such qualities in this amazing country of yours, some maybe students of this college. That’s why it is important that people with this natural personality & talent should be identified & supported.
I really cannot imagine how the world would look without the contribution of this great nation in terms of civil liberties, human rights, technology, manufacturing, IT & finance. The US has influenced the rest of the world more than any other country … from the spread of democratic values, to the way people dress, eat & drink.
I am no stranger to America. I truly love this country & its people. You may be interested to know that I was the only non-US member of the World Board of Governors of the American United Services Organization (USO) in the 1990s. I was also proud to be a Member of the Board of Advisors of Harvard University's JFK School of Government
Lastly, I would like to propose a toast in honour of your friend & mine Paul Findley; for all his great work during his tenure as a Congressman until now. May he long continue his wonderful work, & may the Leadership Centre he has inspired act as a tribute to him
Thank you & God bless
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