ELECTRONIC HOUSE CALL - November 23, 2001

For my colleagues in the US, yesterday was Thanksgiving Day, a time when -- in addition to stuffing ourselves with turkey and other traditional fare -- we pause to give thanks for the blessings of the year. In light of recent unthinkable events, this seems like a strange year to give thanks, but without minimizing the pain that struck all of us on September 11, we still have a lot to be thankful for.

We should be grateful to live in countries where freedom is not just an empty dream. You have only to hear stories of life in Afghanistan under the Taliban to realize how good we've got it. Don't ever take it for granted.

We should be grateful to work in an industry that is such an exceptional vehicle for self-expression. What a blessing to make a living by "making people's day" with the gift of hospitality and caring.

We should be grateful for those who work for us. In the day-to-day struggles of management, don't lose sight of their innocence and heroism. In the end, we will have been responsible for what a good portion of their life was all about, truly a humbling responsibility.

We should be grateful for families. Richard Bach once said, "The tie that binds your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each others' lives. Rarely do members of the same family grow up under the same roof."

Thank you for being family. Happy Thanksgiving.

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