We are very fortunate to have world-class singer Wayne Messmer lead us in the singing of God Bless America….
Today is different from any other day in American history. Nothing could have prepared us for September 11th , 2001, and we have arrived at the anniversary of that terrible day a changed nation and a changed population. As a nation, I believe we have experienced a sadness like never before…but we've also shared a spirit of giving and determination that has made me prouder than ever to be an American and a member of the generous CME community.
Our observance today at Chicago Mercantile Exchange is intended to remember the victims of that terrible tragedy, the heroes who saved lives and who gave their own lives, and the loved ones whose lives were turned upside down. At the same time, we continue our determination as we re-open the free markets around the country that were silenced one year ago today.
The September 11th attacks, as President Bush has often reminded us, were attacks on our way of life. The Pentagon also was hit on that day, and lives were lost. A fourth plane was headed toward Washington, D.C. with deadly intent when passengers themselves took matters into their own hands and sacrificed themselves to save others from the same fate. They proved that our way of life, our freedom, our respect for the individual and our open society, cannot be destroyed.
But our lives have changed, and today, a year later, we are a nation at war. The minutes of silence that we will observe today are silences of respect and honor for those we remember. One year ago, trading on our floor was silenced. That silence came as a result of the devastating attacks on our way of life and on the centers of our financial markets.
But we got back to work. Two days later, on September 13th , we reopened most of our markets. On the 17th , we reopened our stock index products along with the New York Stock Exchange's reopening.
By getting back to work, by reopening our markets at the earliest possible time after those attacks, we sent a message to the terrorists who attacked our nation and our financial community: Free markets cannot be silenced. Today, as we commemorate that anniversary and as we ring the bell to open trading at 7:20, we hope that in some small way, our bell represents the freedom that our country's Liberty Bell symbolizes, and we again remind the world -- free markets cannot be silenced.
Let freedom ring!
