It Was a Very Good Year

Paul S. Speranza Jr.

 

As my year as volunteer chairman of the U.S. Chamber board of directors concludes, I feel proud to have played an important role in strengthening the organization and in advancing a few of its key policy priorities.

 

Internally, we produced informational DVDs on health care, education and workforce development, infrastructure, and the Chamber Federation to help deliver our messages to audiences nationwide. We strengthened the Chamber's board by expanding the role of the vice chairmen, encouraging greater participation at board meetings, and instituting an orientation program for new directors.

 

On health care, we have fostered greater awareness of employer wellness programs and generated greater support for health information technology. The Chamber also created and presented four new Life Sciences Awards valued at $50,000. I was grateful for the opportunity to promote the Chamber's health care agenda during a keynote address at the World Health Care Congress, a gathering of 1,500 health care thought leaders from around the world.

 

On education, the Chamber has advanced an aggressive reform agenda built around accountability and higher standards and has reached out to assist economically disadvantaged students in grades 7-12 by partnering with the Hillside Work Scholarship Connection in Rochester, New York. The Chamber is working to replicate this nationally recognized program in other cities, including the Washington, D.C., metro area, where more than $2 million has been raised for the program.

 

Internationally, I was proud to represent the Chamber and the U.S. business community at a meeting of business leaders from the G8 countries in Tokyo. At this meeting, which received international media attention, the participants presented, debated, and reached an agreement on a global warming statement. Following the meeting, our group dined and discussed world issues at the residence of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

 

I was also part of a Chamber effort to work with the U.S. military, our government, and the business sector to create business opportunities, jobs, economic development, and hope in Africa.

 

In my domestic and overseas travels, I shared the Chamber's message of collaboration, empowerment, and getting results. I was greatly encouraged by our ability to improve coordination and communication with the Chamber Federation of 3,000 state and local chambers and associations. 

 

Over the past year, I met many interesting and dedicated people and listened intently to what they had to say. I want to sincerely thank our Chamber members and the Chamber staff. It was a very good year.