Rain had been falling on the days prior to June 23 in Chesterfield, Missouri. However, on June 23, 2004, on the occasion of the inauguration of the new JCI World Headquarters took place, the weather was wonderful. The detailed preparations carried out by dedicated staff members and volunteers, the enthusiasm of organizers and attendees, and the blue skies and balmy temperatures helped ensure the success of the ceremony, which was held on the grounds outside the building (Cutting the ribbon, from left, 58th JCI President Rector, 59th JCI President Sanchez Arias, Chesterfield Mayor Nations, and JCI Foundation Chairman Yu).
.

Moving Presentations

The ceremony began on schedule at 2:00 p.m. with Interim Secretary General Edson Kodama as master of ceremonies. JCI President Sanchez-Arias, Foundation Chairman Sonny Yu, and Chesterfield Mayor John Nations delivered inspiring speeches. "I look at the building we are officially opening today and I see progress, I see change, I see openness, I see leadership," began President Sanchez-Arias.

Sanchez-Arias thanked the St. Louis-Chesterfield community for welcoming the JCI Headquarters and asked government, business and community leaders to join JCI members in their development efforts. "We need partners, we need allies who trust our passion for action and results, to join us in our quest to improve our communities through the creation of a new generation of political, business and social leaders," he said.

Foundation Chairman Sonny Yu talked about the move of the JCI Headquarters from Coral Gables, Florida, to St. Louis, Missouri, and thanked Sachs Properties for generously donating the land where the building was constructed. Mayor Nations pointed out that JCI's goal to improve the community was also the goal of Chesterfield government officials and welcomed the JCI Headquarters to Chesterfield.

Attendees

In addition to Chesterfield Mayor John Nations, several local and state government officials were present, such as Jane Cunningham, State Representative, District 86; Jodi Krantz, from the Missouri Department of Economic Development; Hollie Silberhorn, representing Missouri Congressman Todd Akin; Chris Arps, representing US Senator Jim Talan; Mike Herring, Chesterfield City Administrator; Bruce Geiger, City Councilmember; and Susan Lueders, District Director, House of Representatives.

JCI Executive members present for the ceremony included General Legal Counsel Okumoto, Treasurer Parrish, and Executive Vice Presidents Dilger, Nygren and Loo. Several JCI Past Presidents -- Phillip R. Berry (1987), Jennifer Yu, (1988), David Hide Oji (1995), Yong Suk Choi (1999), Georges A. Bouverat (2001), and Bruce Rector (2003) -- also attended the ceremony.

All Jaycee International Foundation Directors attended the ceremony. Additionally, there were officers, members and Senators from several national organizations, among them a large delegation from Japan.

Reporters from the local media were present as well as representatives from the business community and the Saint Louis University. Representatives from JCI sponsors Sachs Properties and Anheuser-Busch were recognized.

Messages of Congratulation

Interim Secretary General Kodama announced that numerous congratulatory messages had been received from government officials including Missouri Governor Bob Holden, as well as from international organizations such as the World Chamber Federation of ICC and the Youth Section of UNESCO.

Messages were also received from institutions such as the Harvard Business Review and Harvard Business School Publishing; from several JCI National Organizations, among them Germany, Hong Kong, Norway, Scotland, and Serbia and Montenegro, and Zambia; and from current and past JCI officers, including 18th JCI President Eric Stevenson from Scotland and 22nd JCI President Clifford Myatt from Puerto Rico.

The Plaque and the Ribbon

After the speeches, 59th President Sanchez-Arias, accompanied by Mayor Nations, 58th President Rector, and Foundation Chairman Yu, proceeded to unveil the plaque commemorating the inauguration of the building and then cut the symbolic red ribbon.

Guests toured the building and commented on its beauty, convenience, and modern facilities. After the tours and a video on the history of JCI, officers and members, as well as JCI Senators and staff, mingled with guests and enjoyed a relaxed cocktail party.

Two years after leaving Coral Gables, Florida, the JCI Headquarters officially has a new permanent home at 15645 Olive Boulevard, Chesterfield, Missouri, U.S.A.

Tratto da: www.jci.cc