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PETER
NYGÅRD - AWARDED PATRIOT AWARD Introduction
Speech Ladies
and gentlemen, the name Peter Nygård is synonymous with fashion. Indeed it is
synonymous throughout the world with leadership in fashion. Peter has long
been recognized as a truly outstanding Winnipegger and Canadian who has dared
to be brave and to be on the cutting edge in an industry where boldness &
risk-taking are trademarks of success. When
the tragic events of SEPT11 occurred, Peter Nygård demonstrated that same
boldness, daring & leadership in another way by being one of the very
first prominent Canadians to publicly & without hesitation, demonstrate
his genuine & sincere support for our American allies. He mobilized his
entire corporation worldwide to demonstrate solidarity & unequivocal
loyalty & patriotism from Canadians & from Nygård International
employees in the many nations in which his firm is located. Here
in Winnipeg, I think it is fair to say, that Nygård International led the way
in reassuring our American friends of Canada's commitment that we would indeed
stand shoulder to shoulder, that we would help a friend in need at a time of
great difficulty and that we would not stand by and allow these heinous crimes
against humanity to go unpunished. This outward display of support was perhaps
most prominently demonstrated on Nygård's plant with the appearance of a
building sized crossed American & Canadian flags and the symbol of unity
that they represented. This act of outward support was repeated throughout the
world in such countries as Mexico, China, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia
and Hong Kong. Posters were erected inside the same plants & throughout
the world as a sense of pride & commitment was firmly established by Nygård
International employees with this unabashed and sincere support for a
neighbour in need of support. In
addition to this outward demonstration of support Peter Nygård established a
web-site on the internet dedicated to the over 3000 victims and heroes of the
SEPT11 attacks, including 25 Canadians. This web-site has had millions of
hits, which illustrates the tremendous response for such an act of support by
Nygård International. The firm has sent out over 2 million emails around the
world, translated into Spanish & French, in support of the US and have
received hundreds of thousands of replies, many from world leaders &
dignitaries, including George Bush Sr. Peter
Nygård's personal support for the victims of the tragedy & his support
for the American people at a time of great need & understanding has been
relentless. His strong Canadian roots & his love of freedom, liberty &
the democratic way of life, together with this notable & outstanding
support for our American allies, has earned him unique recognition. As he said
on the We Stand United web-site: "We
at Nygård are proud to be America's neighbour & best friends. We are
appreciative of everything that the United States of America has done for this
world…WE Stand United with America. We will not tolerate terrorism". And
for this rare and courageous stance for our American allies, the Royal
Military Institute of Manitoba takes great pride in acknowledging Peter Nygård
& Nygård International as a recipient of the Patriot Award for 2002.
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" WE STAND UNITED WITH AMERICA - - WE WILL NOT TOLERATE TERRORISM "
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