Singapore Government Press Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts,

MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369

Tel: 6837-9666

NATIONAL DAY RALLY ADDRESS BY PRIME MINISTER GOH CHOK TONG AT THE UNIVERSITY CULTURAL CENTRE, NUS, ON SUNDAY, 18 AUGUST 2002, AT 8.00 PM

REMAKING SINGAPORE - CHANGING MINDSETS

I know that many of you are anxious about our economic situation.

It is not just adult Singaporeans. Our young also seem to be worried. In May this year, The Straits Times reported on a dialogue session with junior college, polytechnic and university students. More than three-quarters of the students expressed pessimism about Singapore's future.

They were concerned how Singapore would fare against giant economies like China and Russia, and whether one day, Indonesia and Malaysia would overtake us. They wondered how many Singaporeans would run off to other countries to enjoy cheaper cars and bigger houses.

I too, worry about these things.

However, unlike the students, I am not pessimistic. The benign global climate of the early 90s may have turned less hospitable. But the future is what we make of it.

Our elders faced an even more dire situation in 1965 when we separated from Malaysia. Ask your parents about life in Singapore then. It was worrying and tough, and I say it from personal experience. I lived in a house without electricity or modern sanitation, until my family moved into a 3-room HDB flat. But our elders fought their way up, and built the life we now have.

Today, it is the turn of our young to be tested. This baptism of fire will temper your generation. From your performance in National Service and the workplace, and the way you take to sports, I am confident that you have what it takes to secure your place under the sun.

Remember, we now have more human resources. We have a better educated people, all working in the English language, with higher professional, management and organisational expertise, and technological skills. We also have more material assets, world-class infrastructure, and stronger foreign reserves. This means you have more to lose. But it also means you have more to fight with, and win.

If you do not doubt yourselves, you will prove those worried students wrong. You will overcome the challenges that come your way.

Growing Economic Competition

A key challenge will be to meet the growing economic competition. With globalisation, more players have entered the economic arena.

For instance, China has already joined the WTO. Russia will join soon.

Many former Soviet allies in Central and Eastern Europe have also joined the WTO. They have many skilled workers and engineers. Their wages are low, about a third of Singapore's. They are able to produce and sell their products at a fraction of our cost. In time, the quality of their products will also rival ours.

So you see, the highway to the market is getting congested. In the 90s, there were few cars on this highway. Singapore could speed along in our modest 1600cc car. Now, there are many vehicles on the highway - trucks, cars, vans, motorcycles, Volvos, Mercedes Benz, Toyotas, Hyundais. Even if you drive a Ferrari, you cannot zoom around anymore. Everyone is fighting for space. They should have introduced ERP!

The Regional Challenge

Nearer home, our neighbours are building up their airports and seaports, our traditional speciality. Malaysia, for example, has announced that it wants to be a transportation hub.

A foreign diplomat who knows the Malaysian leaders advised me that Malaysia was intent on poaching such business from Singapore. A Johor businessman told our High Commission in KL that Malaysia would build up Johor to compete head-on with Singapore. Money, he said, was no object.

PSA lost shipping line Maersk to Malaysia's Port of Tanjung Pelepas two years ago, because Pelepas made Maersk an offer it could not refuse. This year, PSA lost Evergreen. Evergreen was offered non-port incentives, in addition to very low container handling rates.

Lim Swee Say saw a silver lining in the loss of these two shipping lines to Pelepas. He said that grassroots leaders finally understood the meaning of competition.

We welcome competition.

And we will compete. We will create new strategies. We cannot be locked in old thinking, and continue frozen in the model of yester-year. However successful this old model was, in the changed world, it will not bring us to greater heights.

PSA understands this. It is not taking the loss of the two shipping lines lying down. It is fighting back. And it has the resources, skills and experience to develop new ways to anchor and attract shipping lines to Singapore. It will do whatever is needed to maintain its position as the premier transhipment hub of our region.

PSA will succeed. It has already achieved some results. Korean shipping line Hanjin has opted to stay in Singapore, although Pelepas made a determined bid for it. In the first half of this year, PSA's throughput grew by 9 percent, as compared to a decline of 9 percent last year. For a port the size of PSA, and one facing keen competition, this is a good performance.

Moreover, PSA's investments in the existing 37 berths are sunk costs. And the Government has set aside land for 20 additional berths at Pasir Panjang, for whoever can best run the berths, be it PSA, Jurong Port, other port operators or shipping lines. We are open to all options that will enhance the competitiveness of shipping lines hubbing in Singapore.

There is further good news: PSA is among several ports working with the US on its Container Security Initiative (CSI). Containers from CSI ports will enjoy quick, "green lane" clearance through US customs. Given America’s grave concern over the smuggling of terrorists and weapons in containers, the CSI will enhance the competitiveness of our transhipment port.

We have always been able to meet the competition from Hong Kong, Kaoshiung and other big and well-managed ports in the region. We will work smarter, and stay in the game.

Rising Dragon

Our bigger challenge is from the rising dragon.

It is not just Singapore which has to adjust to China's entry into the global marketplace. Hong Kong is even more worried. The Washington Post reported in June that five years after the return of Hong Kong to China, the main source of distress in Hong Kong was "not communism, but rather, too much capitalist competition (from China)".

In the 60s and 70s, thousands of Chinese crossed the border in search of a better life in Hong Kong. These days, Hong Kong's businessmen are headed in the opposite direction in search of profits. Even feng shui experts in Hong Kong are rearranging their furniture to improve their luck. They, too, have to ward off competition from China!

China's transformation has indeed been spectacular. Singapore moved from Third World to First in 30 years. The whole of China cannot make it in 30 years. It is a huge country with a large rural base.

But Beijing, Shanghai and the big coastal cities can become First World in 30 years. They have already changed beyond recognition. It is not just the miles and miles of highway, the tall office buildings and the modern factories, but also the people's mindset. I first went to China in 1971. When we left tips on the table, the waiters ran after us to return the tips. Today, every Chinese wants to get rich. They are eager to learn, and they learn fast.

Tan Kin Lian of NTUC Income went to Shanghai recently to sell them insurance know-how. He got a shock. Instead of buying from him, the Chinese offered him computer software for managing his insurance business! The product was good, and he bought it.

So how should we respond to the China challenge?

My response is: see China as an opportunity, not a threat. If we view China as a threat, we will be immobilised by fear. But if we see it as an opportunity, we will come up with creative ideas to ride on China's growth.

We have built up a good relationship with China. In the early years, we shared our developmental experience with China. Even today, hundreds of Chinese officials visit Singapore every year, on study or training visits. In turn, we hope to benefit from China's growth - not only Chinese Singaporeans, but also Malay, Indian and other Singaporeans.

For example, China's growing middle class, expected to reach 400 million by 2010, will travel widely. We now receive half a million Chinese tourists every year. We will make it easier for Chinese nationals to visit Singapore.

Also, China has stepped up its "Venturing Out Policy". The stock of China's outward investments is now more than US$27 billion, up from almost nothing just 25 years ago. We should try to get a fair share of these investments.

Some Chinese companies are using Singapore to reach out to our region. One company uses Singapore to re-export its sewing machines to India. Another uses Singapore to sell washing machines, air-conditioners and motorcycles to ASEAN. Singapore businessmen should position themselves to partner such Chinese companies as they go overseas.

But to be able to take full advantage of these opportunities, Singaporeans should be proficient in Chinese. Already, some 25 million people outside China are learning Chinese, motivated by the enormous economic opportunities.

Our bilingual policy has given us an advantage which we should not lose. If we neglect the Chinese language, while others are picking it up, very soon, we will have no edge over them in doing business with China. I have therefore asked Teo Chee Hean to re-examine how we can improve the teaching of Chinese, and develop a core group of bilingual Chinese elite who understand China's culture, history and contemporary developments. This will help Singaporeans when they do business with China.

Indeed, a Chinese tour guide expects more Singaporeans to work and live in China in future. One evening, he took a Singapore tour group to see the Suzhou Industrial Park. My brother-in-law was in the group. The tour guide told the Singapore tourists,

"This Park was built by your government. Look around you. Who knows? One day, your children and grandchildren may settle here!"

Whether they do or not, more of our students, especially scholarship holders, should be sent to study in the top universities in China. This will allow them to network with future Chinese leaders, officials and businessmen.

That is why Vice President Hu Jintao and I agreed on an exchange programme for bright university students. The first group of 50 Singapore students will visit China in June next year. The first group of 50 PRC students from top Chinese universities will come to Singapore two months later. This exchange programme could include dialogues with Ministers and senior civil servants, and visits to government agencies and industries.

If we are proficient in English and Chinese, if we understand China as well as we understand the West, we will be in a strong position to benefit from China’s growth.

Nimble Singapore

So a rising China is not gloom and doom for us. It offers abundant opportunities.

Furthermore, no matter how attractive China is, foreign investors will not put all their eggs in one basket. They will want to hedge their bets, in case things go wrong with China. Also, they will want to take advantage of the many opportunities in the rest of Asia, such as India and ASEAN. They will, therefore, want another place in Asia to base their factories and regional HQs.

Singapore can be this other place. We have many things going for us. For example, we have concluded four free trade agreements (FTAs) – with ASEAN, New Zealand, Japan and EFTA [European Free Trade Association: comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.]. And we are negotiating several more. Now that the US Congress has passed the Trade Promotion Authority Bill, we should conclude our FTA with the US soon. An FTA with the EU is also possible, after the EU has settled other priorities.

Our FTA partners will give Singapore preferential treatment when we sell them our goods and services. For instance, we will not need to pay any import duties on many products we sell to their market. In contrast, countries without FTAs would have to pay import duties. These FTAs will therefore give Singapore a big advantage in exporting to our FTA partners. They will also help us attract more investments here.

Investors are also reassured by our political stability and social cohesion. They can see how our workers, employers and the Government are able to take hard decisions together to meet the changes in the world.

All these are important reasons why EDB has been able to attract investments into Singapore right through the Asian financial crisis and last year’s global economic downturn.

Our reputation for reliability is another major asset. In fact, Singapore is seen by many international businessmen as a safe and secure location for their disaster recovery centres. Today, many global companies like banks and airlines are very dependent on their IT systems. Their business will come to a halt if their IT systems stop functioning. They therefore have back-up IT facilities in disaster recovery centres in alternative sites, sometimes in a different country. These disaster recovery centres function as a parallel system, and will take over the IT operations in the event that a disaster hits the primary IT facilities.

Several MNCs, including American firms like IBM, have located their disaster recovery centres in Singapore.

And when Narayana Murthy called on George Yeo three weeks ago, he advised that Singapore can also serve as a major disaster recovery centre for Indian software companies. Narayana Murthy is the chairman and founder of Infosys, one of India's largest software companies. He said that Singapore is ideally positioned for such a role. We are only a few hours by air from India. Our telecommunications links are also excellent. If we can attract a few dozen Indian companies to set up disaster recovery centres in Singapore, we will be able to create a few thousand well-paying jobs for Singaporeans.

So you see, while our external environment today may be the toughest since independence, we have many strengths that will bring us through these difficult times.

Singaporeans can also take heart from our track record. At every critical point in our history, we have risen to the challenge. We have been nimble and bold enough to make tough adjustments. We have moved swiftly to seize the opportunities.

We can, once again, overcome the challenges, and continue to provide a high standard of living for our people.

Let me tell you how.

Remaking Singapore

We must remake the Singapore economy.

The Economic Review Committee has already announced important changes to our tax structure and the CPF.

The changes may bring some pain. But better for us to bear some pain now, than to suffer a terminal decline later. We will, of course, minimise the pain through measures like the Economic Restructuring Shares. However, you must also try to understand the rationale for the changes, and why it is essential for us to move now.

We need to bring down our tax rates to among the lowest in the world, in order to attract investments and talent to Singapore. With increasing competition among countries for MNCs, tax rates have become a key element of competitiveness.

We also need to cap the employer's CPF contribution for older workers, to enhance their employability.

This matter was vigorously debated in Cabinet. Not all the Ministers agreed at first that we should do so. They felt that the problem was not immediate, and that the proposed solution would cause unhappiness. We were making too many changes this year, they added.

But Lim Boon Heng argued for making the change now. He had discussed this with the union leaders. He was confident that workers would understand why it was necessary. I gave weight to Boon Heng’s judgement. He deals with unions and workers every day. He knows their concerns, and what is in their long-term interest.

These tax and CPF changes are by no means the last changes in the remaking of Singapore. We will have to make further changes over the next few years. But whatever changes we make, I give you my assurance that the Government will look after you, especially lower income Singaporeans.

Meanwhile, we will intensify our programmes to help workers upgrade their skills.

I announced the establishment of a $5 billion Lifelong Learning Endowment Fund two years ago. Currently, the Fund stands at $1 billion, with an annual income of $40 million. The Government will increase the Fund by $500 million over the next two years. This will provide another $20 million of income annually for skill upgrading and retraining, to tackle the rising structural unemployment.

The Economic Review Committee is also discussing ideas to improve the capabilities of our workforce. One recommendation is to expand Singapore’s infrastructure for adult training, and set up a Centre for Adult Learning. The Centre will bring together expertise in curriculum development, training approaches, and funding support for programmes.

The 2001 off-budget enhanced training support under the Skills Development Fund expires in October. However, since unemployment will take a while to come down, the Government will extend this enhanced support for another year. These enhanced measures pay for 100% of course fees for older workers, and 90% of course fees for certifiable training. The enhanced programme will generate 180,000 training places in the next one year.

When the economy picks up, those Singaporeans who have gone for upgrading will have an advantage over others in getting a job.

Feedback

I know that Singaporeans are unsettled by the many changes we are making, including the bus and MRT fare increases. Many have complained that the timing is bad. They felt that these changes have come too close, too soon.

I take a different view. Now is the right time to take the medicine we cannot avoid. Our economy is turning around, and recovery in the job market should follow.

But not all Singaporeans accept this rationale. NewsRadio 93.8 runs a programme in the morning - AM NewsTalk - where listeners are invited to give their views on issues of the day. One topic in July was about giving feedback to the Government.

For 20 minutes, caller after caller complained that the Government was not sincere in asking for feedback. They said that after the public had expressed negative opinions against the increase in bus and MRT fares, the Government had proceeded anyway. One caller felt that "this is not my country anymore". Another said that the Government should be worried if Singaporeans do not speak out anymore, because that could be the start of a "revolution".

The callers are wrong. The Government does listen to the people. When the going was bad, such as in 1998 and last year, we had deferred price increases, and doled out generous financial assistance. In good times too, we distribute surpluses, especially to help the weaker members of our society. CPF Top-Ups, New Singapore Shares, Economic Restructuring Shares, Economic Downturn Relief Scheme, off-budget measures, utilities rebates, S&C rebates, Edusave grants and awards, Medisave Top-Ups - have you forgotten them?

Singaporeans must also understand how feedback works. The Government factors many considerations into a decision. After listening to feedback, if we find new arguments that tip the balance of considerations, then we will revisit the matter.

Take the example of Chek Jawa. Chek Jawa is a natural beach on Pulau Ubin, with rare plants and marine life. The Government had earlier earmarked Pulau Ubin for land reclamation, which would have destroyed these ecosystems. Last year, many Singaporeans urged the Government to reconsider the matter, and preserve Chek Jawa. After listening to the appeals of the people and their reasons, the Government did a further evaluation. And eventually, Mah Bow Tan reversed the earlier decision, and put on hold plans to reclaim land at Pulau Ubin. Chek Jawa was saved.

Who says the Government does not listen to feedback from the people?

But we cannot run a country based just on feedback. On any one issue, there are a hundred and one opinions, and many involved parties. The Government must consider all views, the impact on every Singaporean, the balance between short and long-term interests, and then decide on one course of action that benefits the majority of Singaporeans. We will not satisfy everybody. But we will always act in the overall interest of Singapore.

In a sense, the Government works like a doctor.

Suppose your friends tell you that slimming pills have worked for them, and you give this feedback to your doctor. Your doctor disagrees. He advises you that slimming pills may have dangerous side effects, and instead, tells you to eat less and exercise more. Is he correct in not prescribing you slimming pills, or should he have listened to your feedback and not worried about your long-term health?

Surely the doctor must exercise his expert judgement, and not blindly follow feedback.

The Government, like a good doctor, must therefore apply its own knowledge and experience, consult experts, take in feedback, and then prescribe what, in its considered opinion, is the best treatment.

Singaporeans should continue to give feedback. Your views are important for policy formulation and implementation. However, please understand that the Government has to take into account many factors and considerations.

It would be so easy for the Government to simply follow the wishes of the public, and never do anything unpopular. But at the end of five years, if this results in failed policies and no growth, you are not going to re-elect the Government. So we must do what is necessary, even if it means some unhappiness. I trust, however, that when you go to the polls, you will understand that this Government has your interests at heart. I hope that you will vote on the basis of our overall track record, which is the result of policies that from time to time, cause unhappiness.

Changing Attitudes and Mindsets

For the remaking of Singapore to succeed, we have to go beyond feedback and the policy recommendations of the Economic Review Committee. We must change those attitudes and mindsets which are holding back progress.

Welcome International Talent

Last year, I spoke on the importance of attracting international talent to Singapore. This is crucial for our growth and development.

I was therefore disturbed by the negative comments over our medal haul in the Commonwealth Games. Some Singaporeans claimed that they felt no pride in those achievements, because they were by foreign imports.

These Singaporeans need to change their negative mindset. If we gripe, instead of honouring our foreign-born Singaporeans for their success, we are giving the wrong signal to other talent who want to make Singapore their home.

Our table-tennis and badminton stars may have been born outside Singapore. But they have now all become Singapore citizens. Some have their families here, and have sunk roots here. They trained hard and played their hearts out for Singapore. They did us proud - first medals in the Commonwealth Games after 16 years; first gold medals after 40 years. How can anyone now be so ungracious, small-minded, and mean, to deride their success?

Not so long ago, our parents and grandparents came from China, India and elsewhere. Did anyone question their contributions to Singapore?

Of course, we should develop our Singapore-born sportsmen and women. We are doing so, even to the extent of getting international coaches for them. And we will see what more we can do to develop them.

But we should also welcome any international talent who decides to sink roots in Singapore. If they feel enough for Singapore to want to make it their home, let us embrace them warmly. We need to send a clear signal to all those who can raise our standards whether in sports, music, dance, the theatre, literature, the economy or politics, that they are welcome. We have become what we are because we have attracted international talent.

Indeed, the strength of a country does not depend on the size of the population, but on its quality and organisation. The US has only 5 percent of the world’s population, much smaller than China and India. But the US is the world's undisputed superpower, not only in the political and economic arenas, but in many other fields. This is because the US has always warmly welcomed foreign talent to its shores. Albert Einstein was born in Germany. Andrew Grove, co-founder of the highly successful Intel Corporation, was born in Hungary. Investment guru George Soros was also born a Hungarian. Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State, was born in Germany. They all became US citizens later in life, and made remarkable contributions to US society and economy. In sports too, Monica Seles now plays tennis for the US, even though she was born in Yugoslavia.

Americans have accepted all these foreign imports as one of their own.

If a huge country like the US has embraced foreign talent, we, with only 3 million people, must be crazy not to do so. Because of the quality of our people, and our economic success and social progress, we are taken seriously by other countries. We enjoy an influence disproportionate to our size. But if we now shut our doors to talent, we will soon become like any other Third World city of 3 million people. Then we will find life quite different. We will become a small fish - a guppy - in a small pond.

To swim among the big fishes in the ocean, we have to top up our population with international talent.

Be Engaged

Let me now touch on worker attitude.

This year, Singapore workers topped yet again the annual labour force evaluation by the Business Environment Risk Intelligence, or BERI.

BERI assesses the competitiveness of the labour force in four areas - the legal framework of the economy, the productivity of the workers, the technical skills of the workers, and worker attitude.

We were ranked first among all the economies surveyed in the first three categories. For worker attitude, we came in third, behind Japan and Switzerland. Not bad, but there is room for improvement.

In June, our media reported the results of a survey of the Singapore workforce by the Gallup Organisation. Gallup found that 12 percent of the workers surveyed were "actively disengaged" from their jobs. In case you are wondering what "actively disengaged" means, it means "bo chap". These "bo chap" workers complain about virtually everything. They affect the productivity, growth and profitability of their companies.

Contrast this "bo chap" attitude with the positive, motivated attitude I hear of many workers in China.

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did i kill you?

I don't think that's possibe.

ok good here ya go
Howie's presenter, Earl Leggett (ex-Oakland defensive line coach):

Good afternoon. My being involved in this tent goes to show that anything is possible. Not only do I consider this a great honor, but I have been waiting with tremendous pride, because a player that I coached has been selected to the Hall of Fame.

Now for all of this to happen, a lot of sacrifices, decisions, and lifetime memories occurred. Now we don’t have time to go in all of the sacrifices, or all the decisions, or all the lifetime memories, but some need to be addressed. One of the things that we discussed in our player meetings was in our business, a good wife is hard to find. No words are truer than these. Behind every successful man is a dedicated woman. So when you find one, treat her with respect. Diane, it was a tough 13 years, a lot of sacrifices. You did a great job. It made my job easier.

The person who made all this possible was Mr. Al Davis and his Raider organization. Mr. Davis’ second round selection in 1981 set the wheels in motion. It was the right pick at the right time for the right player. I cannot picture Howie Long being anything but a Raider. Mr. Davis, I want to thank you, because you certainly made the job easier.

Now lets get to the memories of watching a rookie over a span of 13 seasons develop into one of the top players. Seeing number 75 slash through line, make the big play, or have the quarterback on the run. Or his development in defeating blocking combinations. Also the after-game sessions when the opposing offensive line coach, our owner, offer the summons by the head coach to come to his office to tone Howie’s play down in practice because sometimes it got heated. And I won’t forget how you paid the price to be great. The fellowship that we had at Saturday night dinners, what great fun they were. These memories will last forever.

In 1981 as we were preparing for the upcoming draft, trying to put players in draft order, I was sent out to scout a college senior at Villanova by Mr. Davis through Ron Wolf. I had seen some tapes of his season and post-season games. So I scheduled a workout and made the trip to Villanova and his workout was very impressive. I returned to the Raiders, and in out draft meeting, I recommended him as our No. 1 draft choice. Mr. Davis had seen some of the same qualities that I had seen and drafted him in the second round. Howie came into mini-camp and we went to work. I would hope that you coaches and would-be coaches and want to be coaches -- no matter what sport -- could have someone who is as focused, determined, and knew exactly what he wanted. Not only did he have the qualities that you put in the measurable categories such as strength, quickness, and size, but his greatest assets were the intangibles. Posted around our defensive line meeting room, we have certain slogans. And one that I really tried to drive home, it goes like this – I want to surround myself with players who will pay the price to become great, and then become their leader. Howie was the best leader that I have ever been associated with. Not only in his professional life, but in his personal life. He has a knack of raising everyone a notch higher. He had total focus, a student of the game, but more important, or the most important, were the intangibles. Number one: His ability to tell when he had to leverage on opposing players. Two: His outstanding work ethic. And Three: The total fear of not being successful. Now listen one more time. Thirteen years, eight Pro Bowls, three-time Lineman of the Year, one-time Defensive Player of the Year, one-time Comeback Player of the Year, First Team-Decade of the '80s. Howie was like a coach on the field. In those 13 years, I thought that he became the most disrupting force in pro football. Howie complained that I never said he did a good job. I always told him “that’s what you get paid for.” But now is the time to say “Howie, good job. A job well done.” Howie Long.

HOWIE LONG
Howie Long poses with his bust July 29, 2000

Thank you. Well, the over and the under on who would cry first was … the even money was on Ronnie. We never factored Earl in. You know, I can’t help but think, I was walking through the hallway leading into the platform that is the Hall of Fame, watching all the great former players being introduced. And a thing that Charlie Sumner, my old defensive coordinator, used to say before every game came to mind and I shared it with my fellow inductees. He said “well, they showed up. I guess we’re going to have to play.” Well you folks showed up. I guess we’re going to have to do this thing.

First I’d like to thank the City of Canton. Their warmth and hospitality, I will not soon forget. I’d also like to thank the Hall of Fame Committee, in particular, John Bankert and Tammy Owens for helping to make this week's events so special for both my family and me. I’d also like to thank the Hall of Fame voters, in particular, Frank Cooney and Will McDonough. Their's is a job that is particularly tough. They are not only given the responsibility of dictating the legacy of today’s inductees and the many players who have come before us, but also the legacy of the National Football League. I’d also like to congratulate my fellow inductees – the Class of 2000 – and what a group it is. I’ve had five or six clean shots on Joe, but I didn’t take it. His kids are too cute. That’s the only thing that saved you, Joe. I’m honored to be going in with such an outstanding group. Men who helped define their eras in pro football. But more importantly, a first-class group of men.

I’ve always had an appreciation for the history of the National Football League, and today the Class of 2000 has the good fortune of sharing the stage with the many great players who helped pave the way for not only today’s inductees, but the many players who play the game today. A number of these great men influenced my career as a young man. Guys like Bob Lilly, Lee Roy Selmon, Randy White, and Joe Greene. And I even go as far back as Gino Marchetti. These were men I studied and I admired. I tried to take a piece of each and every one of their games and incorporate them into the way I played.

Another player who influenced my career as a young player was a guy by the name of Joe Klecko. He made the Pro Bowl as a defensive end, defensive tackle, and as a nose tackle. In my opinion, if it were not for an injury-shortened career, he might well be sitting behind me here today.

Personally it’s very difficult to put into perspective what this means to me. This great honor. In the 80 years of the National Football League, over 18,000 men have played this game. Many great players. Of those 18,000-plus players, 171 have ended up in this final glorious destination. Of those 171, only seven have been defensive ends. I for one, believe that being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is the most prestigious individual honor in all of sports. Baseball has been called America’s pastime, and since my retirement, through my three sons, I have come to appreciate the ability of baseball to bring families closer together, and in particular, fathers and sons. In my opinion, baseball is America’s pastime, but football is truly America’s passion.

As Earl pointed out, I think back at the beginning of my career when a man named Al Davis drafted a kid out of Villanova in the second round, and at that time many of the football experts viewed that pick as a stretch, a reach, a surprise. But Al Davis saw something in me that many, including myself, did not. The Raiders were a team steeped in history. From the moment I walked into the Raider camp I could feel it. It was all around me. People who not only defined what the Raiders were about, but also define what the National Football League was all about – John Madden, George Blanda, Ted Hendricks, Jim Otto, Willie Brown, Fred Biletnikoff, and Gene Upshaw and Art Shell helped bring me up. Then, of course, there was an owner named Al Davis, whose passion for winning was unparalleled in sports. So it’s understandable that when you're around people like that on a daily basis, you allow yourself to dream just a little bit. Albeit way in the back of your mind, dream of someday maybe being one of them. But at that time, taking the place of football history with those great men was just a dream and nothing more. I am extremely proud to have been a Raider. I am also proud to have played my entire career with the Raiders. Something that rarely happens in today’s game.

When I first learned of my election, I gave a great deal of thought to who would be my presenter. My first thought was to have my 15-year-old son Christopher be my presenter and do the honor. But when we discussed it, although Christopher is never at a loss for words, he felt that maybe this would be a little bit too much for even him to handle, but it was extremely important for me, that he know that he was my first choice.

It was shortly after that, that the Hall of Fame Committee was kind enough to invite the inductees to the Pro Bowl. There at a breakfast, Willie Lanier spoke to us about our induction. One of the topics discussed was: who would be our presenter? And what Willie said helped make my choice an easy one. The person you chose as your presenter should be the person that’s had the most to do with you being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Earl Leggett was not only my defensive line coach, he was like a second father to me. Playing for Earl was a lot like playing for John Wayne. He was tough, hard-headed, and unrelenting, and still is. I’ve often kidded Earl that the only reason that it took me two years to figure out how to play in the National Football League was because I couldn’t understand a damn thing he was saying. You see, Earl’s from Mississippi or Louisiana or Florida or somewhere down there and I’m from Boston, Massachusetts. Obviously there was a language barrier. Although some of the things that he did call me early on in my career even people from Boston would understand. Playing for Earl was not for everyone and my teammates who are out there in the audience, I see Marcus Allen, Sean Jones, those guys would attest to the work that we had to go though. I saw many players over the years fall by the wayside trying to attempt to get through an Earl Leggett training camp. Getting through one of those camps was a lot like climbing Mt. Everest in the 1920s without oxygen. Our defensive line, in my opinion, was the best prepared group in football. Earl took me to a place physically and mentally that I had no idea that I could reach. He challenged me on every single snap, on every single day. He challenged me not only to play on position, but all five defensive line positions and was unrelenting in his pursuit of perfection. There were many days early on in my career if wondered if in fact I would survive. At the time it never occurred to me that may of the lessons that I learned under Earl would not only serve me well in football, but also in life. Earl stressed commitment, hard work, sacrifice, and the will to be the best, and most importantly, how to be a man. In many way, Earl has played a significant role in not only my football career, but also in the success that I’ve been fortunate enough to have after football. That is why it is so special for me to have Earl be a part of today’s great honor.

Obviously, today’s induction is an individual honor, but any time and honor such as this is bestowed upon an individual, the many people who have touched that individual along the way hopefully can take a little piece of it home with them. I’ve had the good fortune of crossing paths with a number of people over the years who hopefully feel that they can take a piece of today home with them. First I’d like to recognize the many players whom I’ve had the privilege of playing with during my career. In particular, the core group of my defensive line. The late Lyle Alzado. Cedric Hardman, who was my roommate my rookie year. You want to talk about an odd combination. Greg, how’s that? You played with Cedric and I’ve played with Cedric. How old is Cedric? Greg Townsend, Reggie Kinlaw, Sean Jones, who I see in the back of the audience. Mitch Willis, and in particular, Bill Pickel, whose friendship, loyalty and sense of humor taught me what a true friend is. Al Davis, for taking a chance on me. Giving me the opportunity to wear the silver and black. For always being there for me through the years and believing in me. More importantly though, for being so kind to my family, and in particular, my grandmother, Elizabeth Mullin.

Dick Corbin, who gave me my start as a high school football player, and whose wife Ruthann, for all of their support through high school. My years at Villanova were the best of times, and two people in particular who were always there for me, I’d like to recognize. Lou Ferry, my defensive line coach. His true heart, his humor, and his love for the game is what makes him so special to so many of his former players. Bob Capone, who recruited me to Villanova and always looked out for me through thick and thin, and God knows there was some thick. And I’m happy to say that many years have passed but our friendship remains a constant. Betty Peterson, began as my assistant and has become like family to me and my entire family.

To my parents who brought me into this world. My uncles whose character and integrity and sense of family I have always admired. My Uncle Billy and Aunt Ada who took a troubled 13-year-old while raising four children of their own. As time has passed, I’ve come to realize what a tremendous sacrifice they made for me. If not for them, I would not be here today. My cousin Michael, who I always admired growing up and viewed as a older brother. To my grandmother, Ma Mullin, whose undying love and support for me through my childhood meant so much. I only wish she could be here today, but I know in my heart she is up there somewhere saying “see, I told you you’d be somebody special.” And finally, to my family, who I love so much. Our three sons Christopher, Kyle, and Howie. Although I am so proud that they are here to be a part of this amazing event, my relationship with them could not be any further removed from the world of football. So it’s been extremely rewarding in the days leading up to today’s inductions to watch their faces while they watch many different sports programs and in many cases for the first time, seeing footage of their dad playing football. To watch their reactions, how proud and surprised they appear to be. To hear them say “Wow Dad, you were pretty good. You were tough, too.” That in it of itself eclipses any award that I can receive, for their love means more to me than anything in the world. I’m fading. My wife Diane, who sacrificed so much for our children and me. Who walked away from a career as a corporate litigator after our third son Howie was born so that I could continue to pursue my dream. For 22 years she has been my best friend, my biggest supporter, my biggest critic, my voice of reason, and my shrink. Her love for my three sons, her love for me, her selflessness, her compassion, her kindness challenged me to be a better father, a better husband, and a better person every day. I tell my boys how blessed we are to have her.

In conclusion, I think back to something Earl Leggett said to me way back in 1981 when I first arrived at the Raiders, and keep in mind, I was not a very good football player when I did arrive there. He said “Kid, if your work hard and you do what I tell you to do, I’ll make you wealthy beyond your wildest dreams, and I’ll make you a household name in every home in America.” Well Earl, we missed free agency by a few years, but I have to admit it’s