Like many of you, I have been thinking about the historic nature of the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Nearly 130 million Americans came to the polls on November 4th because they were excited about the choice between two very talented and patriotic candidates.
I was impressed on election night when Barack Obama reached out and said, "To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote but I hear your voices, I need your help and I will be your president, too." He has promised a bi-partisan administration that will unite the country and move us to economic prosperity. I certainly hope and pray that he's very successful.
Most importantly, I salute his historic accomplishment. Never in my lifetime did I imagine that I would see an African-American President of the United States. When my parents opened up their first root beer stand in Washington, D.C., more than 80 years ago, lunch counters were segregated. I grew up at a time when schools were divided between white and black.
Our first Marriott hotel opened before the Civil Rights laws that prohibited discrimination in public accommodations were in place. Working for our company in 1968, I'll never forget hearing about Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Forty years later, this campaign drew from that same sense of hope and promise of a better future for all. It generated unprecedented levels of engagement across race, age and gender.
As a global company with 3,000 hotels, we know that understanding and respecting other cultures is critical to our success. Having a diverse and inclusive corporate culture improves team performance and innovation. It's the only way we can attract the top talent and more customers.
With a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas, Barack Obama embodies this new global perspective. That's why his election was cheered by people from around the world. Obama articulated the hope and opportunity that is the bedrock of the American dream. It's the hope that inspired my parents to drive from Utah to Washington, D.C., and open up that little root beer stand back in 1927. It's the opportunity for growth and development that we work hard to provide at our hotels worldwide. It's the determination to make their voices count that inspired so many Americans to go to the polls to prove that we're a country where all men and women are created equal and where the opportunities are unlimited. I'm very excited to see what's ahead for America and for the world.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the Move.
Good Luck to Our New President Elect Barack Obama
Presedent Barack Obama is trying to do the best for all of humanity to the world.
Posted by: Filiz Sinan | 08/26/2011 at 01:51 PM
Well, it's been a year and a half since he's "tried" reach across the isle in a new spirit of bi-partisan relations. It's apparent that he didn't earn my vote but it is also apparent he does not hear those of us that "error on the side of conservatism". I knew from the beginning that was just words wasted. The 2010 elections will send him a wake up call, and if he hits the snooze button, he will be calling a moving company 2012. Hopefully he will stay in a Marriott hotel while waiting for his household goods to be transported out of DC. That my friends will be his ONLY contribution to our business prosperity.
Posted by: I.B. Stottlemyer | 02/13/2010 at 08:25 AM
Sorry about misspelling Marriott....in technology, we have to take the good with the bad. My misspelling of the website has always been corrected automatically...didn't realize until now. My apologies.
Posted by: Catherine Moulton | 12/05/2008 at 03:55 AM
Marriott is the only company to think big during this special time in history with the build your own ball package for the JW in D.C. (for the inauguration). I would challenge Marriott to think even bigger. I believe there is a huge demand for some way to celebrate this January 20th, not just in D.C. but nationally (and perhaps even globally). Think New Year's Eve celebration ticket model. Marriott Hotels to host inaugural balls in major cities. Include some level of connectivity to Washington D.C. (e.g. live feeds, etc.) so that we all feel like we are a part of this historic event. Make sure you include Sacramento....I know 100 people that are looking for a opportunity to break out the tuxes and gowns.
Posted by: Catherine Moulton | 12/05/2008 at 03:33 AM
As a retired military Colonel, a Christian, and a conservative you can imagine I am a bit skeptical about our incoming Preasident. However, unlike the left who has hate mongered President Bush for eight years, I will support our new President and help him in any way. God Bless the USA.
Posted by: Colonel Larry | 12/03/2008 at 07:25 AM
As a Black man having grown up in the sixties inb the segregated south, I am impressed by your comments.
Peace, Brother Marriott!
Go Obama!
Posted by: Donell Williams | 11/24/2008 at 09:37 AM
I agree with Eddy! Why do so many people insist on pegging a label on Barack Obama? He is JUST AS MUCH WHITE as he is black so pegging him as one or the other is a dis-servce to him and everyone else! Barack Obama himself never claims he is black - he actually refers to himself as a a mutt - a mixture of many different cultures. Which is like most of us in this country! We should be celebrating the fact that he was elected President of the United States - not what color he is or is not!
Posted by: Dee | 11/24/2008 at 04:10 AM
I would think Obama would want to be called an American. What does African have to do with anything? he is just another AMERICAN (supposedly) president.
Posted by: Eddy | 11/22/2008 at 05:40 AM
God Bless you Mr. Marriott, for taking the time to send your message. I'm a loyal customer of Marriott and first time reader of your blog.... Now, I'm a fan of yours...
Posted by: Tammy | 11/20/2008 at 06:51 AM
Mr. Marriott,
Thank you for your comments,comments filled with much wisdom. May God bless you.
Posted by: Kasandra Black | 11/20/2008 at 03:56 AM
Mr.Marriott,
Thank you for your words of wisdom. I appreciate Marriott International, just that much more.
Posted by: Tamarlese A Boyd | 11/20/2008 at 02:42 AM
Excellent note... from your well wishes for the President elect to your hope for America's future. Thank you for an eloquent, thoughtful and positive message.
Posted by: Marge | 11/20/2008 at 12:47 AM
Well said Mr. Marriott! I am a proud conservative who voted for the Palin half of the McCain ticket. I had to comment on the blogger who said, shameless hypocrisy.... Spoken like a true partisan, I bet this same person spent 8 years trashing GWB and not respecting that he was the President. I voted the other way but I am an American first and will support the new president. What is shameless is people like that blogger who can not respect other people's views.
Posted by: Alicia Lauterer | 11/19/2008 at 11:54 PM
hope President Obama could handle the tsunami effect of Global financial crisis.
Posted by: boyin | 11/19/2008 at 12:52 PM
Thank you Mr. Marriott for your words of wisdom. It was nice to hear your comments about President Elect Obama. I worked for the Marriott Corporation for 17 yrs in the full service hotels. I love my Marriott family. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet you in person on several ocassions at The Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel located in Crystal City, Arlington VA.
Posted by: Mona Lisa Tatum | 11/19/2008 at 08:08 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott, I just want to say thank you. I very much appreciate your comments. Your offerings seem to be sincere and unbiased. I have come to love staying with Marriott where ever my travels take me. As a Platinum Premier member, I can say that it has been a pleasure doing business with your company and I look forward to doing so in the years to come! Thanks again.
Posted by: Jerome | 11/19/2008 at 06:03 AM
Dear Bill,
I am so glad you congratualated Barack Obama as I was not sure if we would get your blessing as a lifelong Republican and all. And I know you must be particularly saddened that Mitt Romney failed to make it to the finals. It means a lot coming from you. I was so suprised Obama was valliantly took New Hampshire because doing some vacationing that way all I saw were McCain signs and with all McCains campaigning up there I was sure that the state would swing Republican this year. Obama must have the Midas touch he probably learned from the Marriott spirit to serve or maybe he just got some good ole Democratic luck down there in New Hampshire. I hope you consider joining the incoming economic team as they have a big white house to fill down there is D.C. Thanks
Posted by: Mike | 11/18/2008 at 03:42 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott,
As a Jordanian the studied in American Schools during my entire childhood and teenage, I feel somewhat part of the national events that happen in the US. Truly speaking I was very impressed by Mr. Obama's will power, through his speeches and vigorous campaigning, to prove himself to the American citizens that he can do the job and mend what needs to be mended. Deep inside I knew he was going to make it, especially with the grave and unforgivable mistakes that the former administration did to the US economy. Although truly praying that our Lord bless every responsible human effort to fix things for the Americans, one issue just keeps scrolling through my mind. What can our newly elected President do to help stop the bloodshed in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and in the rest of the distressed parts of the world? This is not about supporting one party against the other in the Arab conflict as much as it is to bridge political solutions to the rallying parties. Lately the situation represented a time bomb that was about to erupt and believe me it will be strong enough to hurl the region into a World War. We don't want more human bloodshed. The present day news broadcasts and newspapers in the Middle East resemble that of a slaughter house with the number of victims always in the beginning headlines. I personally stopped keeping track of the news accordingly unless something serious breaks out. I truly hope that our Middle East region can savior some rest at a point in the near future and that Mr. Obama with his new staff will be able to do something political to help. I do hope Mr. Obama has a chance to read this.
Posted by: Feras Werr | 11/17/2008 at 11:06 PM
Dear Mr. Marriot, Thank you for sharing, I thought I already could appreciate the moment but until I read your blog I only could wish I had your perspective and wisdom. Thank you for sharing.
May I drop you an email. It's an article I wrote about connecting cities as opposed to countries. I would appreciate your comments on this please. Sincerly.
Posted by: MAURICE WILLIAMS from SINGAPORE | 11/17/2008 at 05:12 PM
Mr Marriott, You are always inspiring.
Thanx for all you do for us
Posted by: Jake C | 11/17/2008 at 08:09 AM
Mr.Marriott thank You for all that you have done for the USA. It is time for change. To make change we all have to give
some of our selfs to achive this.
Posted by: Hope | 11/17/2008 at 06:52 AM
What a great post! I think much of the corporate movements toward inclusiveness have led to this moment. Were it not for fair hiring and promotion practices put in place by large corporations after the civi rights movements, perhaps our American society would have had a harder time following suit. Good blog, and as always --my favorite place to stay.
Posted by: Kanani | 11/17/2008 at 03:40 AM
Thanks again Mr. Marriott for a great post. This is indeed a great leap forward for the US.
Posted by: Mike W | 11/17/2008 at 03:33 AM
These sentiments were well appreciated. I thank you for expressing your mark in history of your life. I am always loyal to this brand.
Posted by: Keith Ridley IV | 11/16/2008 at 04:11 PM
To David Broadbent:
If you didn't get a chance to read Mr. Marriott's preceding blog, The Facts About Marriott and California's Proposition 8, this should answer your question.
Posted by: Marriott blog reader | 11/16/2008 at 03:37 AM