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Coming up
at the Chamber
View
all upcoming events on our Web calendar.
WED | Jan. 21
Annual Taste of the Chamber Mixer
more info
THU | Jan. 22
Luncheon with ATA President Bill Graves
more info
FRI | Jan. 23
Accenture Pancakes & Politics
Featuring LAUSD Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines
more info
MON | Jan. 26
Lunch with Public Utilities Commission President Michael Peevey
more info
TUE | Jan. 27
Referral Network
Grow Your Business
more info
TUE | Jan. 27
L.A. Export Series, Session 2
Cultural Language of Business
more info
TUE | Jan. 27
Energy, Water & Environment Committee Meeting
more info
THU | Jan. 29
120th Annual Inaugural Dinner
more info
The
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce is
the voice of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes
a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region.
For more information, visit
www.lachamber.com.
350
S. Bixel St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213.580.7500 tel
213.580.7511 fax
[email protected]
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Today’s historic Inauguration Day brings a renewal of America’s promise of equality and opportunity. Billions of people in the United States and around the world will be watching as President Barack Obama makes history today, but it’s incumbent on all of us to join with him in moving our nation forward tomorrow.
Few presidents have entered office with so many expectations waiting to be fulfilled. President Obama already shares history with some of our most challenged presidents. Like FDR, he assumes responsibility for fixing an economy that’s fallen to its nadir. Like JFK, he faces evolving threats to American foreign policy and national security. And like Ronald Reagan, he is surrounded by a nation that is yearning for hope and optimism. Our nation is not on the precipice of a civil war, but it is clear that our new president is the culmination of Abraham Lincoln’s legacy and the bearer of his goal for a united nation that is committed to equality and opportunity for all of its citizens.
The key moments in our nation’s history were not driven by great leaders alone, but by great people assuming a collective responsibility. Fortunately, we have many examples to guide us. Our forebearers’ determination more than 230 years ago successfully fought the largest superpower on earth to win their freedom. Families tore themselves apart in order to keep our nation together during the Civil War. Our parents and grandparents coupled stoic sacrifice with intractable pride to survive the Great Depression and World War II. And four decades ago civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. marched in peace to remind the American people that we had miles to travel before achieving the legacy of President Lincoln.
President Obama’s inaugural speech will become this nation’s vision statement for change and progress. But the results will only come through hard work, sacrifice and resolve. While all eyes are on Washington, D.C. today, the contribution that most of us will make to this transformation must be done at home, at work, in the community and within ourselves. Today we will all watch history in the making. Tomorrow, we must join in making it ourselves.
And that's The Business Perspective.
Gary L. Toebben
President & CEO
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
The Business Perspective is a weekly opinion piece by Gary Toebben, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, produced with the input of Samuel Garrison, Vice President of Public Policy.
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by
Gary Toebben, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
L.A. Business
THIS WEEK
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