Neville Isdell Presents Tribute to William Jefferson Clinton
Thank you, Fenton.
On behalf of The Coca-Cola Company, it is my pleasure to join all of you in honoring William Jefferson Clinton, the United States’ youngest two-term president, and now the world’s youngest elder statesman.
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President Clinton understood early on how the twin challenges of technology and globalization would transform our planet, that they would create a community of nations more dependent on each other than ever. He strengthened the bonds of this nation, as he endeavored to create what he called “One America.” And he strengthened global ties as a forceful advocate for free trade and international cooperation. As an Irishman, I am eternally grateful for his efforts to bring some resolution to The Troubles. The Good Friday Agreement—which was signed eight years ago Monday (April 10, 1998)—would not have happened without the commitment of Bill Clinton. All of this is an appropriate legacy for a man whose career began in the office of Arkansas’ own William Fulbright. |
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The Fulbright Prize for International Understanding, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, has been given to 12 remarkable men and women since 1993. It has been my great good fortune to introduce three of them: Nelson Mandela, whose long walk to freedom continues to inspire the world; Vaclav Havel, the writer and dramatist who became the first President of the Czech Republic; and the former Federal Chancellor of Austria, Dr. Franz Vranitzky.
For all of us at Coca-Cola, the Fulbright Prize celebrates those qualities of leadership—the ability to bring together people, cultures, and nations for understanding and for progress. These qualities are at the core of our business, too. Just last month, The Coca-Cola Company joined the United Nations Global Compact, confirming our commitment to the focus areas of the Global Compact—human rights, labor rights, protection of the environment, and anti-corruption.
Two months ago, I had the privilege of attending the funeral of Coretta Scott King in Atlanta. It was a remarkable day, with stirring tributes and remembrances from her children and Dr. King’s colleagues and others. President Clinton captured her humanity as only he could. “I don’t want us to forget that there’s a woman in there,” he said. “Not a symbol—a real woman who lived and breathed and got angry and got hurt and had dreams and disappointments.”
And then he said this, “Atlanta, what’s your responsibility? What are you going to do? What are we going to do?”
It was classic President Clinton: funny, moving, inspiring, and challenging. It charged the room, and the city. For me, it was a neat summary of the Clinton presidency, and the Clinton post-presidency, captured in a single moment, not just his humanity and empathy, but his approach to problems, acknowledging them plainly, and looking for new opportunities to work with others to address them.
President Clinton—thank you.
And now it’s my pleasure to present this sculpture, entitled “Tribute.”
It was created by Sergio Dolfi, a retired Coca-Cola executive who created the original for our Atlanta headquarters. More importantly, I think Senator Fulbright would have been proud and delighted to see you receive this tribute today.
"Tribute," by Sergio
Dolfi. (Photograph by Sharon Farmer.)
These remarks were delivered at the J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding Award Ceremony honoring William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd President of the United States of America, on April 12, 2006, at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C.