Folks, as Joe mentioned, we have some big news to share with you today … and we wanted to be here … at 43rd Street … with you … in the nerve center of American and global commerce … to make a very important announcement.

I also want to welcome our friends from WorldPort in Louisville – the nerve center of our global air operations.

In fact, we’re making this announcement this morning to UPSers at locations all around the world.

But before we get into that … I just want to take a moment and pay our due respects to the more than 1,000 UPS military reservists who have been called into active duty.

Our thoughts … our prayers … our utmost gratitude … go out to all these brave men and women.

I can’t think of a better way to show our support for our fellow UPSers … than by doing what they’d be doing if they were here with us today.

Serving our customers … keeping our promise.

We’re all proud to be part of this Big Brown Promise … doing the things that only UPS can do.

I see folks rooted in this wonderful tradition of serving our customers – day in … and day out … with unwavering commitment … integrity … and reliability.

You folks are, in many ways, the quiet heroes of American commerce … people who’ve created one of the most respected brands the world has ever known.

In today’s climate of uncertainty, when our neighbors and friends and customers see our brown package cars rolling down the streets of Manhattan… or small towns across the country …they take comfort in knowing that the daily rhythm of life … and commerce … moves on.

Brown is on the move. Commerce is moving forward.

For the past year, we’ve been telling the world … “This is What Brown Can Do For You.”

Brown can do a lot these days. We’re finding new ways to serve our customers and put packages in the back of those package cars.

Brown is indeed on the move … Delivering packages … Moving international freight ... on the ground … in the air … across the ocean.

Clearing customs …Managing complex supply chains …Handling service-parts replacements …Reconfiguring warehouses and entire distribution systems …Even helping finance many of those activities.

Synchronizing the movement of packages, information and funds.

Whether you’ve been with the company for 30 years … or 30 days … you’ve seen many of these changes first-hand. And whether you realize it or not … you’ve also been instrumental in driving these new capabilities.

What you’ve established in creating the world’s most trusted and respected package delivery operation … has given us the credibility to expand into these new complementary services.

Services that will grow our package delivery business and provide more opportunities for every one of our 360,000 employees around the world.

All designed to help our customers grow and compete in a complex worldwide marketplace.

Today, we begin telling that story of synchronizing commerce.

Now, let me ask you something. When you look at our current shield … what do you see? Strength … solidarity … and reliability – are just some of the words that come to my mind. But beyond the words – are the emotions.

That shield is an old friend. A trusted friend. A friend that has served us and our families well for over 40 years. It’s given us comfort … security … personal … and professional growth. It’s given us the privilege to serve our customers with the highest of ideals … and the chance to better our communities.

But as strong and as valued as this old friend is … it no longer represents all that we are today … nor all that we can be tomorrow.

The time has come to move on. After more than 40 years of honorable service, it’s time for this old friend to retire with the grace and dignity it deserves.

So, today, we’re saying “goodbye.” But unlike most goodbyes, this is not an ending. Rather … this ……… is a new beginning.

And now I want to direct your attention to a few other items… the new look of our package cars, air express letter envelope, and the new UPS Browntail.

But if you REALLY want to see the Browntail, take a look at the big screens.

We’re going to transport you live to Louisville for the inaugural landing of the first re-branded UPS browntail.

Take a look.

Wow! As you can see, when we decided to energize the look of our aircraft, we went all out. I think the new plane, our package cars, packaging and everything really make the logo look great.

It’s been an exciting morning … and I certainly appreciate you sharing it with us.

If there’s one thought I’d like to leave you with… one important thought … it is this: this is more than a logo change. Much more.

Symbols only go so far. Our brand is all about our people and keeping the UPS promise.

Just ask Marty Peters … Marty’s the longest-tenured active employee at UPS – out of 360,000 around the world.

Marty is a 57-year veteran of UPS. That’s right, he started with us in 1946 … and guess what … he still shows up at the job every day as a shifter and a customer-counter clerk in Detroit.

He has witnessed logo changes before … in fact, this will be his third.

Marty, come join me up here so folks can see you!

And there’s someone else we’ve brought to New York for this special day… Ron Sowder, a Kentucky District Feeder Driver. Come on up with Marty, Ron.

Ron’s been with the company 42 years. In fact, he started in 1961 … the year of our last logo change.

When Ron started with the company … he wasn’t old enough to drive. But today, he carries the distinction of having the most years of safe driving among active employees in the company.

In my book – Ron and Marty are UPS heroes. They not only represent the brand … like you – they live the brand every day.

We decided to call these long-term employees UPS Legends. And you have one of these Legends right here in this Region – from the Long Island District. His name is Bob Mollick… come on up Bob.

They’ve all met our founder, Jim Casey, and Bob has actually had coffee with Jim, right here in this building.

Gentlemen, we’re honored to have each of you with us here today. And we’re honored to have had you as a part of UPS all these years.

Please, give a big hand to Marty Peters, Ron Sowder and Bob Mollick!

When I think of people like Marty, Ron and all of you, I think of a company moving forward to new places … to new horizons.

At the same time, I think of a company that will never lose hold of those time honored values that have served us so well over the years.

Most of all … I see a group of people supported by one great company …

… guided by one strong vision …

… and inspired by one extraordinary brand.

Thank you so much.