Black Diamond relocated to the base of these magnificent mountains nearly 20 years ago and has enjoyed 20 years of double digit growth since our arrival and I can say that without question that we would not be the company we are today had we relocated to any other place in America. Instant access to these pristine wild landscapes has been a major secret to our success. We should also realize that as momentous as this occasion feels to all of us today, in 20 years our children and grand children will see it as nothing less then visionary.

On wall next to my desk for at least the last 15 years is pinned one me my favorite quotes - that of Utah’s favorite son writer, Wallace Stegner , who wrote –

“ I would like to see the West, with all its sub regions and sub cultures, both prosperous and environmentally healthy, with a civilization to match it’s scenery”

As a city, SLC is blessed with the most spectacular mountain backdrop of any city in America. It is a source of inspiration and adulation. A source of recreation, economic power and our water supply.

It’s greatness and its grandeur challenge us every day to build a civilization on par with what god himself has given us. Part of building a great civilization is a civilization that can engage those of differing opinions to create the best for the common long term good of society. :Part of building a great civilization is cultivating our humanity which in part requires us to protect the wild places that play y such a subtle but integral role in our lives

The greatness of our civilization here on the Wasatch Front as well as our economic health & well being requires that we protect these inspiring natural landscapes that make the brilliant backdrop of this great city. It is a mutually reinforcing & symbiotic relationship. Lose one and you are destined to lose the other. Diminish the landscapes and you diminish the culture.

As Steward Brand, the father of the whole earth catalog once wrote –

“Natural systems are priceless in value and nearly impossible to replace, but they are cheap to maintain. All you have to do is defend them”.

Well we all know the “All you got to do” is a big deal and that makes today so momentous.

So for this reason my most heartfelt congratulations goes to Congressman Matheson for his leadership & vision; to his staff – especially Mike Reberg and Mayor Becker who too were unwavering in there support of this.

We have much to cheer and give thanks for.