Two American Icons Mark Shared 125th Anniversaries

Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Statue of Liberty Celebration Remarks
New York, NY
May 8, 2011

Good evening, everyone.

What a wonderful world, indeed, and what a privilege and pleasure to welcome each of you to Liberty Island this evening as we celebrate the 125th Anniversaries of two remarkable American icons - the Statue of Liberty and Coca-Cola.

We are honored by your presence, and we look forward to a memorable night together.

I know many of you have traveled far to join us. On behalf this Great Lady, and Coca-Cola - we thank you.

125 years ago, a great French sculptor created this beautiful Lady - the world's most-recognized neoclassical sculpture. Today, she remains the pre-eminent symbol of American freedom... American liberty... and American compassion.

Since opening in October of 1886, millions of Americans and international visitors have graced this island. Countless millions more have gazed in awe upon her prominence from the air, from the sea and from our nearby shores.

125 years ago, a gentleman by the name of Dr. John Pemberton gifted America with an invention - a beverage that some would say was also inspired by the French.

In fact, once when I ordered a Coca-Cola in a restaurant in Paris, the waiter replied... "Ah, oui - American champagne - and then he caught himself and said - "actually better than American champagne, no?" I didn't argue.

Dr. Pemberton certainly wouldn't have argued either. He was the quintessential American. A dreamer. A doer. A serial entrepreneur.

He started no less than 18 different businesses and invented dozens of products - including one called - believe it or not - French Wine of Coca.

Some of these businesses succeeded... others did not. But he never lost faith. He always believed in a better tomorrow.

And today, his greatest invention is the most recognized brand in the world - Coca-Cola. A beverage that is found in over 200 countries - more nations than are represented by the UN. A beverage that is enjoyed 1.7 billion times a day.

Tonight though is really more than a celebration of two great American icons. It's also celebration of America itself, and the values and ideals that have shaped this incredible nation and embody the very essence of Coca-Cola. A nation of unparalleled diversity and freedom... A nation built on entrepreneurial vitality and endless imagination... A nation of doers and dreamers - all inspired by this beautiful Great Lady behind me.

We thank you again for the privilege of your company and we look forward to a delightful and memorable evening.

Now, if you'll please join me for dinner, which will take place just around the other side of Lady Liberty.

Thank you.

Main Tent Remarks

Ladies and gentlemen - it's truly a privilege to be surrounded by so many wonderful friends, business partners, distinguished civic and government leaders, including the wonderful men and women of the National Park Service and two great mayors - Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York and Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta. Thank you all again for being part of this special evening.

I also would like to acknowledge a very special group of people who have traveled all the way from Japan to be with us tonight. People who I consider to be true heroes.

Coca-Cola employees who demonstrated incredible leadership, courage and compassion during and in the wake of the tragedies which struck the great nation of Japan. Our people and our business in Japan are better today because of their leadership.

I would like to ask our delegation from Michinoku CCBC... Sendai CCBC... Tone CCBC... and CCJC to please stand as we acknowledge your contributions. Welcome - all of you.

As the film you just saw points out, all of us here tonight share a strong bond with Lady Liberty and everything she represents. For Coca-Cola , that bond runs very deep.

In fact, we like to think Coca-Cola is more than just a drink. It's a great connector. A common thread and a reminder that our shared dreams and aspirations far eclipse our differences. Even in the most unlikely of places.

On this note, a friend of mine passed along a story I thought you'd enjoy.

He was at Fenway Park, the wonderful baseball stadium in Boston, on April 9th for the Yankees-Red Sox game and saw an amazing site. A foul ball was hit down the right field line into the stands.

A burly fan with a Red Sox hat was reaching over to grab the foul ball and collided with an even bigger guy wearing a Yankees hat. Turns out, neither of them caught the ball but as they collided they sure drenched themselves in Coca-Cola.

Instead of a fistfight breaking out, however, they simply raised their cups of Coke, brought them together, and toasted each other. It was caught on camera and the crowd erupted in applause. Now that's perfect harmony.

Even better, the Yankees won the game!

Whether at Fenway or in refrigerators in billions of homes, Coca-Cola has maintained a cherished place in the lives and hearts of people around the world.

Today the lessons of diversity... inclusion... freedom... and opportunity that we learned from Lady Liberty herself guide and inspire our actions around the world.

About a century ago, we at Coca-Cola took our business overseas and earned a social license to operate. Not as guests but as trusted members of the communities we serve.

Today, the vast majority of Coca-Cola's are consumed outside the United States. American born. Universally loved. A brand that lives the values we were first taught here in America.

So as we pause to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty and the 125th Anniversary of Coca-Cola, we do so with unbridled optimism and unbending belief in the future of this incredible nation and her remarkable people.

And tonight, we are pleased to extend our support to The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Foundation, and its President, Steve Briganti and National Park Service Superintendent, Dave Luchsinger (Luce-in-ger) for all they do.

On behalf of The Coca-Cola Company, I am pleased to present a $1 million dollar contribution to The Foundation for completing "The Peopling of America Center" on Ellis Island. This final grant will help enable this beautiful center to tell the story of the remarkable people who built this nation, and who will continue to play a vital role in its future.

As President Reagan reminded us over 30 years ago, America's greatest days are still ahead of us... just as the greatest days of Lady Liberty are still ahead.

So, Steve - thank you for all you and the Foundation do to keep Lady Liberty a shining beacon.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you saw in that film earlier, the beautiful Statue of Liberty model that you see here tonight has an interesting history in its own right. This Little Lady Liberty has been a great source of pride for Coca-Cola for the past quarter of a century. But now, we feel it is only right to return her back to her native New York soil.

So tonight, it is my privilege to donate this beautiful original model statue to the people of the City of New York. Now, I'd like to invite Mayor Bloomberg to please accept this on behalf of all the city official represented here... with our best wishes and deepest gratitude to your great city and in recognition of 125 years of Lady Liberty.

Thank you, Mayor. And thank you all for being part of our celebration tonight. A celebration of America and her rich and endless diversity, energy and optimism.

As we wind the evening down, we would like to bring out a group of amazing musicians who truly embody the American ideals of diversity, creativity and optimism.