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origin, and sexual gender. Here, talent is supreme, hard work is rewarded, integrity is prized, and excellence is absolute. Indeed, with respect to human rights, the financial markets of Chicago practice what the United States Constitution preaches.
Is it any wonder Carl Sandburg immortalized our city's distinguished market history: Hog Butcher for the World/Stacker of Wheat. Is it any wonder our guest speaker, our good friend Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, has stood up to those who threaten our markets' existence or impede their growth. He does it in such a delicate manner. He reads to them a poem by Thomas Babington Macaulay which tells of Horatius at the Gate, the lone Roman gatekeeper who valiantly defended the ashes of his fathers and the temples of his gods. Then Congressman Rostenkowski explains the following to our adversaries: at the end of the day, after all the battles they had faced, they will yet have to face the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, who, like Horatius, will stand to protect the temples of Chicago—our markets.
And like Horatius, whenever we hear a blanket condemnation of the free market system, let us too rise up zealously in its defense. At stake is the very essence of the American miracle. At stake is our very freedom. And while there are failings within the markets, and regrettably, while there are sins by some within the system, these negatives are insignificant when measured against the incalculable and priceless achievements of the American free market system. It is on behalf of these markets that I proudly accept the Human Rights Medallion