Virginia Executive Institute Alumni Association

FROM THE OFFICE OF Lie rnor WILDER ICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219 (804) 786-2078 EXCERPTS FROM REMARKS MADE TO THE VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE INSTITUTE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION VIRGINIA BEACH RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER APRIL 28, 1988 BY LAWRENCE DOUGLAS WILDER I AM DELIGHTED TO BE IN SUCH FINE COMPANY, INTELLIGENT, CREATIVE, ENERGETIC, AND YOU SHARE THE SAME EMPLOYER TOO--THE people of Virginia, I want to commend those of you who created AND CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THE EXECUTIVE INSTITUTE, I KNOW ALL OF YOU THAT ARE ALUMNI OF THE PROGRAM CONSIDER YOUR DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AN ASSET, AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE PEOPLE OF Virginia are better served- because of the commitment each of you HAVE MADE TO YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL SELF-IMPROVEMENT, And considering the tone of the times, development programs ARE JUST WHAT WE NEED HERE IN VIRGINIA AND IN THE OTHER 49 STATES, For the past few years have seen the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RETURN MORE AND MORE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE FIFTY STATES, WHILE this "states' rights" approach has the benefit of more local CONTROL AND THUS PROGRAMS MORE SUITED TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF