10th Henry Ford technical fellow

The following article was originally published and transmitted by the Ford Communication Network (FCN).

Nasser Tells HFTA Recipients the World has 'Changed Forever' Following Attacks

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 21, 2001 (FCN) -- Speaking before some of the best and brightest minds Ford Motor Company has to offer, President and CEO Jacques Nasser said the world has likely changed forever following terrorist attacks in the United States last week that claimed more than 5,000 lives.

As keynote speaker at the 21st annual Henry Ford Technology Awards (HFTA) event Thursday night, Nasser was quick to commend what he described as the "tremendous compassion and caring" displayed by Ford Motor Company employees around the world in response to the attacks. Hijackers commandeered four airliners Sept. 11, crashing two of them into the World Trade Center in New York and another into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. A fourth plane crash-landed in rural Pennsylvania, after being hijacked and apparently headed to Washington, D.C.

"Among the most important things we can do right now for the United States and for freedom-loving, decent people everywhere, along with our prayers and donations, is to be the strongest company we can possibly be," Nasser said. "We should not put aside our sadness, but as proof of our strength in the face of evil and in the spirit of preserving freedom for all, we should continue to conduct the business of our lives. We need to keep the great economic engine of the free world up and running."

Nasser, who was in Germany at the time of the attack, went on to say that although what happened on the morning of Sept. 11 was unthinkable, what has happened since throughout Ford Motor Company and across America was entirely predictable.

"America has pulled together like never before," Nasser said, "and while our hearts will ache, our resilience and determination will spotlight our spirit for all the world to see."

In the audience were 42 HFTA recipients, along with their spouses and invited guests. Originally, 53 recipients were to be honored for their work in the areas of Research, Product Development and Manufacturing. However, the events of last week have limited travel access into the United States and resulted in 11 of the recipients from Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan, Ford of Germany and Aston Martin Lagonda, not being able to attend. They will all be honored in separate events later this fall.

Last night's event also marked the awarding of the Ford Technical Fellow award for only the 10th time in company history. The award, bestowed upon Dr. Timothy Davis, is the highest technical recognition given within Ford Motor Company. Davis is internationally recognized for his work with statistical science in automotive engineering. He was also appointed to lead the company's technical team looking into the root cause for Firestone tread separations.

"To be a Ford Technical Fellow means that you are the very best in your field," Nasser said. "It means you have reached a level of achievement that very few will ever know."