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Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Highmark, Inc. Partnership Celebration Breakfast
Remarks by: Jean-Pierre E. Mbei
BCS Consultant, Highmark Camp Hill, PA
The Honorable Secretary Butler, Mr. Nasuti, Joyce, Mr. Tabor, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Starling, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. I feel overwhelmed and honored by the responsibility bestowed upon me to speak to you today.
On behalf of my colleagues, people with disabilities and on my own behalf, I thank Joyce for her unparalleled dedication to providing competitive employment to people with disabilities. I also thank Highmark for its active and exemplary support for BCS' initiatives.
In her letter to American business leaders, Joyce said that, "competitive jobs mean freedom". Although individuals may have their definition of freedom, we all know that freedom is lost if we cannot afford rent. Freedom is lost if we cannot afford a car for transportation in order to earn a living. Freedom doesn't exist for those who are forced to live at the margin of society, or are regarded as inferior, pitied and distrusted.
Just like Martin L. King, Jr. dreamed of an American society in which people will be judged on the basis of the content of their character and what they can do, instead of the color of their skin, today, Joyce is crusading for an America in which people with disabilities will be judged on the basis of their skills and productive talents, rather than their disabilities.
At a personal level, allow me to interpret Joyce's statement that "competitive jobs mean freedom".
To me, above all, competitive employment means the opportunity to apply my skills, and earn a competitive salary that allows me to afford a decent living standard and, therefore, become a self-reliant, productive, and a contributing member of society. Specifically, this means that in due time:
- I can rent an apartment, buy a house, make investment decisions, or afford a vacation.
- I have the opportunity to lead a useful life and help others.
- I have the opportunity to add value to, and grow professionally with a company that utilizes cutting edge technologies, and fosters a culture of excellence and high performance.
- I have the opportunity to help my employer achieve its diversity objectives.
- I have the opportunity to compete fairly with the best in my profession, on the basis of my skills content, and not my disability.
- I have the opportunity to work at a company that encourages and rewards knowledge, creativity, experience, high standards and hard work. And I am happy and proud to say that Highmark offers an environment that encourages these values.
- Because of the enhanced self-esteem I derive from being a consultant at a company that is a leader in its field, and from being gainfully employed, I feel comfortable to be a role model for people with disabilities
I owe this new window of opportunities to BCS and Highmark where excellence is the norm.
Honorable Secretary Butler, ladies and gentlemen. I highly commend-and thank Joyce for her vision, leadership, and for constantly reminding us that it is not enough to have technical skills, one has got to have character above all! I highly commend-and thank Highmark for its active support for BCS' initiatives such as opening employment opportunities for disabled professionals. My colleagues and I are living proof of Highmark's commitment to a fair and equitable hiring policy that includes professionals with disabilities. In fact establishing a company such as BCS would have meant nothing more than business hype and showmanship without reliable partners such as Highmark!
Lastly, allow me to give special thanks to special people: Lowell, the quality of support I receive from your team, especially Al and Jo, is a reflection of your personal support. I am honored to have the opportunity to be with a great team. Thank you! Al and Jo, to you, your managers and their staff, I give thanks for the trust and confidence you've placed in me, as well as your sustained support for my daily endeavor, and the welcome as exemplified by your interest in learning sign language! To my project teammates, your managers and other good people whom I can't name here, thank you for your cooperation and support!
Joyce, Mary, Paula, Neal, Staci and other members of BCS management team, to the rest of BCS staff, THANK YOU! You are the people whose hard work has made BCS a UNIQUE employer!
Especially Mary, I haven't forgotten that you are the person who, 3 years ago, at a job fair in Washington DC., first gave me a taste of what it is like to be a member of the "Bender Family". To me, the "Bender Family" is a caring reality, not a publicity slogan as it may project on other people, and I am proud to belong to the "Bender Family!"
Although so much has been achieved as to the integration of disabled people in the professional ranks of our society, a lot remains to be done. Our dream is to see more companies follow Highmark and BCS' example in this respect. On behalf of all my colleagues assembled here today, and those elsewhere, I can state in total confidence that our collective will is to help build BCS and Highmark's success, and contribute to their growth and expansion in every state and beyond the US!
Thank you! God bless you, and God bless America, a land where freedom is valued and practiced!
Speeches
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