Speech

Last night I went to an awards event for Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year. This ceremony was for the finalists for Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama and they announced that the 21 finalist entrepreneur’s companies had combined sales revenue of over $15 billion and employed some 400,000 employees. There were 21 finalists for seven awards dividing it into three persons per sector. I was one of three finalists representing the technology sector and although I did not win, it was an honor just to have made it as a finalist. The gentleman who won invented the radar tracking system for severe weather that we commonly watch on television.

Every winner had to give a speech and I was earnestly praying that I did not win in order to avoid getting up in front of all of those people and give a speech. It was a black tie event and all of the movers and shakers and heavy hitters from three states were there decked out in tuxedos fit to kill; it was also being broadcast over the web to Lord knows how many people. The likes of Michael Dell from Dell computers, Arthur Blank co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, the founder of E-Bay and others had all won this event in times past and then there was me. Ha!

My heart was pounding and I was filled with dread as they announced each contestant in the technology sector. Fortunately I did not have to give a speech, but since I now have a captive audience, here is what I would have tried to get out. I had decided that if I had to give a speech I would of course thank my God, my family and all of the employees of Horizon who really are responsible for the success of Horizon, but I also wanted to tell the people in attendance about the great country in which we live. It seems all that I hear about our great country anymore is negative. We seldom hear anything good about America, and at every opportunity folks criticize it, especially wannabe politicians.

There are not many places on earth that someone can accomplish what I have been fortunate enough to accomplish. My first job was cleaning mortar off bricks with a hatchet in order that they might be re-used for fifteen dollars cash per day. I went from that to a point where this great country allowed me to found and nurture nine successful businesses into successful multi-million dollar enterprises without as much as a college degree. I started my first business by borrowing $1000 on a personal credit card. Many families to this day rely on companies that I founded for their livelihood, and what a great feeling that is.

I can attend the church of my choice and travel freely in this country and yes I can even criticize everyone and everything in this country without fear of imprisonment or worse. What are all the whiners thinking when they dare criticize this wonderful country. Much is said about the greedy CEO’s and how they are ripping off the poor. Last night video after video of the nominee’s stories were televised on big screen television. To the nominee millions upon hundreds of millions of dollars had been given to charity. One nominee had built and given away 6000 homes to the needy. 400,000 people are employed by companies founded by just 21 people; think about that.

As you watch the elections unfold this year, don’t believe much of what you hear from those who dislike everything about America. It is the land of the free and it is beautiful. If you are willing to roll up your sleeves and work hard and smart and you will persevere through the difficulties that will surely come, you can accomplish pretty much anything. As usual God says it best; please read the verse below.

Ecclesiastes 9:11
The race is not given to the swift,
but those that endure to the end.