Good evening. It is an honor to join you once again for the annual HENAAC awards here in Pasadena.
This year is a particularly special gathering. This year we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of HENAAC.
For 30 years, HENAAC has brought together our nation’s top scientists, engineers, scholars, and students from the Hispanic community.
Here, attendees from across generations can learn from one another, build life-long relationships, and develop new ideas that have the power to change the world.
At Lockheed Martin, we are exceptionally honored to be one of HENAAC’s original supporters – since that first conference was held three decades ago.
Over time, we have built a strong partnership with, and a deep respect for, Great Minds in STEM.
Together, we have worked to make this conference the leading event of its kind in American industry. And because of HENAAC, our economy, our society, and our nation are stronger and more optimistic.
So, on behalf of the 100,000 men and women of Lockheed Martin, we thank you for the vision, leadership, and energy that have made HENAAC possible.
With tonight’s awards we celebrate more than the achievements of our outstanding honorees.
We recognize how Hispanic men and women are shaping the world in positive ways through science, engineering, technology, and math. And we reaffirm our shared commitment to opening the doors of opportunity to all.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Generation Xcellence.” It is fitting – especially as we consider the next 30 years of HENAAC.
“Generation Xcellence” encourages us to reflect with gratitude on the achievements of past generations. Moreover, it reminds us that to positively transform the world, every generation must have skilled scientists, engineers, and innovators.
This means that every generation must work to encourage boys and girls, young men and young women, to pursue the STEM fields.
We must inspire, engage, and mentor.
That’s where the men and women we honor here tonight come in. They are among the top engineers, scientists, and technologists of their generation.
They are the highest achievers and the most innovative thinkers in academia, government, and business. And for generations to come, their work and their examples will be a light to future generations.
So, on behalf of our Lockheed Martin team, I want to congratulate all of our HENAAC Award winners this year. We are proud of your achievements and your personal stories.
We thank you for your leadership and inspiration – and all that they mean to our society, the Hispanic community, and to our entire nation.
Thank you and enjoy the rest of the program.
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