by Governor Mike Leavitt

July 10, 2000

It is the tradition at the conclusion of this association meeting for the Chair to summarize his year. Rather than try to detail lessons or list achievements, I would like to conclude in the context of a story.

Minutes before I was to take the podium at the state Legislature to deliver a budget address, a member of my security team came to me and said, "Governor, there is a fire at the mansion." I left the Capitol and went directly to the mansion. Billows of black smoke were pouring from the windows. I found Jackie and our three-year-old son, Westin, standing in the parking lot. Jackie explained that she was standing in the bedroom when she heard a loud pop and the roar of flames. She looked through the open oval on the second floor as she leaned over the balcony railing and saw the 26-foot Christmas tree engulfed in flames that were shooting up through the oval. She saw her assistant carrying a small fire extinguisher trying in vain to put out the fire. She and Westin ran down the back steps and met four workmen, who had been in the basement, rushing to the back door. The intense heat had caused a back draft, and the men were trying in vain to wrench the door open. Finally, they resorted to using a ladder to force the door. Everyone inside was able to slip out before the door slammed shut.

We watched the fire grow. There was a huge explosion, and suddenly a 20-foot fireball was shooting out the windows. The fire became more intense. The fire marshal came and explained to me what was happening. Fire seeks oxygen. When a fire burns that hot, there is a serious need for oxygen. It goes into the screws and light sockets. It exploits any oxygen wherever it finds it. When those natural forces are set off, change is going to happen.

When the forces of change in the marketplace being to operate, our reactions may determine survival. The forces can be cruel in their certainty. We are at a time in history when the Internet and information technology are fueling change unimaginable in scope and with mind-numbing speed.

America became a world financial power by navigating skillfully the transition between the agricultural era and the industrial age. The economic cards are in the air again and it will be this generation of leaders that will determine our continued leadership and prosperity. This is the opportunity of a century. I like Jim Barksdale's three-snake rule for solving problems. The first snake rule is, if you see a snake, kill it. If you have a problem, don't organize a committee to deal with it. Take care of it. The second snake rule is, don't spend too much time handling dead snakes. The third snake rule is, every opportunity I have ever seen started out looking like a snake.

During the past year we have outlined the framework of our agenda to strengthen the American state in the New Economy. We must each define our own path but let us all have attitudes that are optimistic and actions that are bold. I will conclude with the same words I started with. In the New Economy we have but three choices: we can fight it and flounder; we can accept it and survive; or, we can lead and prosper. I say let America lead and prosper.