In the midst of all the hectic preparation to resume open outcry trading, with all the details that entails, I wanted to take a brief moment to thank you all for your support and input throughout this emergency situation. At a time when all of us have suffered losses of close colleagues and friends, the outpouring of offers of assistance from the financial community has been inspirational to me as chairman.
I would especially like to express my appreciation to the customers, member firms, and members who participated in the Exchange's first internet-based NYMEX ACCESS session this past Friday, which took a tremendous leap of faith and extraordinary efforts by each of you. Our success in this session helped us make a symbolic statement to the world, but especially those tyrants who sought to devastate and destroy the American system of enterprise and free markets. In our own small way, we helped show them that no act of terrorism will ever diminish the American spirit and our leadership role in the global economy.
As we prepare to reoccupy our facility, I know I can continue to count on you for this continued level of support to keep American markets as the source of price transparency and market efficiency for the global energy and metals industries. It is an honor, a credit, and the least we can do for the memory of all of those, but particularly our own members and colleagues, who perished for this cause.
I hope you continue to share your suggestions with me and I know that by pulling together we will emerge strengthened and triumphant from this most difficult period in our nation's history.
With deepest gratitude,
Vincent Viola
Chairman of the Board
J. Robert Collins, Jr.
President
