Opening Remarks by Murthy Vangala, 4A-AT&T National President

My friends, colleagues and honorable guests, I extend a very warm and hearty welcome to all of you as we gather to celebrate 4A's 2002 Community Awards gala. I know that some folks might be thinking they'd rather be doing something else on such a cool, autumn Friday night, but let me assure you, this evening will be a memorable one, and you'll be glad you were here. First and foremost, you will have fun. We at 4A know the value of good friends coming together, which it seems we do too infrequently these days, so we're especially glad to see so many friendly faces - AT&T leaders, 4A members from across the country, and many non-profit organization leaders. We will talk. We'll laugh. I am sure we will eat well! We'll honor some deserving individuals, and believe it or not, we'll probably even get some business done, because I know how industrious Asian Americans are. So sit back, get comfortable, introduce yourself to the person next to you and let's get this show on the road.

As we all know, during the past year, our nation has faced, and continues to face, some very significant and daunting challenges. America was attacked, American lives were lost, and America's courage and our character are now being tested like never before in our history. Some said we now face a long twilight struggle to ensure our safety and to protect our way of life.

No doubt some of this is true, but I also know that our American spirit has never been higher. Our pride in our nation has never been greater. We as Americans are proud, united and strong. We meet here tonight while there is so much uncertainty in our world, to take this time to let everyone know that in our small part of the world, here at AT&T, there exists a group of individuals that has formed a team that proudly calls itself 4A - a team whose humble mission is to create a collaborative working environment that fosters proactive support for the professional development of its members while assuring the success of the best communication company in the world, AT&T.

4A's strength and resolve lie in our members and its supporters, each and every one of you who time and time again have demonstrated your commitment to enhancing diversity at AT&T, championing our mentoring program, and providing appropriate training and networking opportunities.

For this special evening, our theme is "AT&T and 4A: Building Bridges to Communities." While this theme is certainly relevant to achieving our mission, it is particularly important at this time in our company's history. We are once again at another crossroad when the future of AT&T seems uncertain. Our competitors have been trying every tactic, unorthodox or even unethical, to keep us from competing with their monopolies. Recently, they've had a taste of competition, and they don't seem to like it one bit. Their monopolistic dominance in the local markets is being tested, and customers are responding by hanging up on the RBOCs and coming home to AT&T. I know that Ken Sichau will shortly address some of these issues. So, I'll stop right here and just say that instead of anyone thinking that AT&T is on the ropes, let them instead know that AT&T is taking the fight to the bad guys, and we are winning!

Tonight we're going to celebrate and present our community awards to acknowledge and thank some of the leaders and organizations who have never lost sight of their goals and missions - to provide unyielding support to the Asian Pacific American community.

Tonight we also provide an opportunity for the 4A family to recognize those AT&T executives who have demonstrated an unwavering support for our community and our issues, and who have provided their personal commitment to hearing and listening to the challenges we face and the opportunities we represent for our company.

Additionally, tonight's event presents a unique opportunity to network with leaders of AT&T and the community, to share our stories of success, to discuss our issues of mutual concern, to recognize our heroes and champions, and to introduce our next generation of Asian American leaders.

Mark my words. This new generation of Asian Americans has a rendezvous with history. It is inevitable; it is ordained. We as a people have come too far and worked too hard; we possess many skills; we love our community and country too dearly to allow even one Asian American to fall through the cracks, let alone dare to fail an entire generation. It will not happen. It must not happen. Through your sustained efforts, we will be successful, now and always. In this area I particularly would like to acknowledge the great work that many Asian non-profit organizations are doing. We are most fortunate to have some of them here with us tonight.

Do look around you, Ladies and Gentlemen. Take great pride in what you see: America's noble experiment at work, America's diversity at work. We come from all over the world to this great land where all is possible. We're fortunate enough to live in a great nation and to work for a superb company, and we're grateful to its leadership for walking the talk and committing itself to continuous improvement so that opportunities will abound, and that both our company and 4A can be successful. Please join me in a giving a big hand for our country, our company and its leaders.

As I said before, tonight's event offers an excellent opportunity for AT&T executives and political and community leaders to mingle with Asian American employees and share in the celebration of combined successes, gain understanding of this thriving new American community and display solidarity. So, please take time and meet as many as possible.

I thank you for participating in this important event and look forward to our continued partnership. Thank you. God bless you.

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