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In memory of Ronald Reagan 1911-2004
There will be no Leasing News on Friday. We salute a great American.
As a teenager and
then as a newsman, I had met Mr. Reagan. My late father Lawrence Menkin
knew him by first name. My father was the story editor and also wrote
several episodes for the television series "Death Valley Days,"
which Mr. Reagan hosted right before he became Governor of California.
(My father also died in his sleep from Alzheimer’s, not knowing who
I was for five years before his death.)
We lived in the Pacific
Palisades. Mr. Reagan had friends he visited, who were also our neighbors
down the street. He was just getting started in politics and his friends
were all very conservative Republicans, as I remember. I parked cars
for meetings, cocktail parties, what I thought were political candidate
meetings from 1957 to 1962 for the neighbors’ guests.
In high school and
a few years of junior college, I drove the florist truck for Oliver
Bente Flowers on San Vicente Blvd. in Westwood, California where Mr.
and Mrs. Reagan were regular customers. They had Irish maids and Mr.
Reagan, at the time, was very precise in what he ordered and how much
he paid, He was conservative then, too, but he was always sending flowers
to his wife, mostly red roses, as I remember. White, too.
I was a newsman in
San Francisco when then the two term (and in Northern
California very popular)
Governor Edmund G. Brown in 1965 said, "Hey, I've got it made.
They’re going to run an actor against me." He was a big fan of
the radio station I worked for. I
interviewed him and got this expression on tape. Did he
ever regret it.
I knew different
about Ronald Reagan. He was not only an excellent
speaker with a great
sense of humor, everyone who met him in person, liked him. He was that kind of a personality. Whether you were liberal or conservative,
democrat or republican, if you met him, you liked him. He simply was a very nice guy. You liked him
right away.
I think what was
most revealing about this caring person was explained in a book written
by his wife, "Love You, Ronnie," which I reviewed for
as a Sunday Sermon on March 4,2001, their wedding
anniversary (1952).
The book jacket explained:
"No matter what
else was going on in his life or where he was--travel ling to make movies
for G.E., in the California governor's office, at the White House, or
on Air Force One, and sometimes even from across the room--Ronald Reagan
wrote letters to Nancy Reagan, to express his love, thoughts, and feelings,
and to stay in touch. Through letters and reflections, the characters,
personalities, and private lives of a president and his first lady are
revealed.
“Nancy Reagan comments
on the letters and writes with love and insight about her husband and
the many phases of their life together."
There are many shorter,
and perhaps more moving notes, than this excerpt, but it refers to their
anniversary, so I quote this one:
Excerpt from I Love
You, Ronnie
“Feb. 14,1977
“ Dear St. Valentine,
” I'm writing to
you about a beautiful young lady who has been in this household for
25 years now - come March 4.
“I have a request
to make of you but before doing so feel you should know more about her.
For one thing she has 2 hearts - her own and mine. I'm not complaining.
I gave her mine willingly, and like it right where it is. Her name is
Nancy but for some time now I've called her Mommie and don't believe
I could change.
“My request of you
is - could you on this day whisper in her ear that someone loves her
very much and more and more each day? Also tell her, this "Someone"
would run down like a dollar clock without her so she must always stay
where she is.
“Then tell her if
she wants to know who that ‘Someone’ is to just turn her head to the
left. I'll be across the room waiting to see if you told her. If you'll
do this for me, I'll be very happy knowing that she knows I love her
with all my heart.
“ Thank you,
" ‘Someone’ "
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, June 10,2004
Headlines---
Requests
Dates on Web Site Edition
Classified
Ads--- Doc. Manager / Finance / Legal
From
our Archives---June 10,2000 33 to the List
Yes,
It’s Gone---GE Capital-CPL Leasing Broker Program
ELA
Asset Managers Assess the Marketplace at Spring Meeting
Pacific
Capital Bancorp Continues to Grow
Pacific
Capital Distributes 4-for-3 Stock Split
Fitch:
U.S. Equipment Lease ABS Delinquency Below 2%
Media
Capital Agreement with B2BCFO
LeaseCompare.com
Puts Car Payments On Line
CF
National Bank Issues $75M of Subordinated Notes
SMC
Industry's First Comprehensive Leasing Program
Farm
Credit Leasing Chooses IDS
Fitch:
Positive Rating For Some Major European Banks
Fitch
Ratings Issues Comment on Mexico
De
Lage Landen appoints Tom Hammer V-P
A
Poem Often Quoted by Ronald Reagan
######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press
release”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requests
Date on Web Site
“Would it be possible
to include a “date” at the top of the HTML version of Leasing News? Because of travel schedule, and the fact that
our weekend here in Kuwait is Thursday and Friday, I often miss being
able to pull up Leasing News on the day it comes out.
When you pull up
the website, the version shown is always the latest version, but again,
because of the time differences here in Kuwait, I am never sure exactly
what “day” I am getting.
“Or, as a better
alternative, is it possible to provide a “unique” link to the leasing
news for that particular day in the e-mail you send out? (A link that would even take you into the archived versions for
previous days?)”
Thanks.
Johnnie
W. R. Johnnie Johnson,
CLP
---Will do. You will find the date and day on each of the
web site editions
from now on.
You may also go here
to find the current ones for this month,
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives.htm
and also by year and month for previous editions. editor
Classified
Ads--- Documentation Manager / Finance / Legal
Documentation
Manager: New York, NY.
10+ years in equipment leasing/secured lending. Skilled in management & training, documentation, policy and procedure development & implementation, portfolio reporting. Strong work ethic.
Email: dln1031@nyc.rr.com
Finance: Chicago,
IL
Experienced in big
ticket origination, syndication, valuation and workout. Twenty five
years, MBA, CPA, JD, LLM (Tax), structuring specialist. Inbound and
outbound transactions.
Email: pal108381@comcast.net
Finance: Austin,
TX.
20+ years all facets of lease/finance. Collection and credit management. Equipment & rolling stock structuring. $150k credit authority, $100 million portfolio management.
Email: texmartin@juno.com
Finance: Lyndhurst,
NJ
CFO w/20+ years leasing/financing. Respected by lenders/rating agencies full & fair financial reporting. Outstanding record restructuring debt. Adept at investor relations and mentoring people.
Email: joemcdev@aol.com
Legal: Los
Angeles, CA
Experienced in-house corporate and financial services attorney seeks position as managing or transactional counsel. Willing to relocate.
Email: sandidq@msn.com
Full listing of all classified “Job Wanted” ads at:
http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From
our Archives---June 10,2000 33 to the List
Number 33 added to
the list:
33 METWEST LEASING
CO. Spokane, WA. We are told they are unable to fund transactions they
have approved and signed. We have confirmed they do not have funds for
future business at this time.
I am trying to learn
the status of Granite?
I am also trying
to confirm this:
" Metropolitan
Mortgage and Sec in Washington had a division that funded the lesser
credits. Well they have stopped and are not honoring their approvals
if they don't already have signed docs. This was told to me by a broker
in Arizona who has 10 deals sitting with them and she is now scrambling
to replace them.
"As soon as
I can "clean up this list," I will alphabetize it. We are
in very unusual times with plenty of money around, but leasing companies
not finding customers or profitable enough to pay for "operations."
There appears to be more supply than demand??? Is this also from new
internet leasing companies? Where are all the vendors and lessees going
from the companies no longer in business?"
33 Leasing Companies
with Problems the last Six Months:
Bankvest (bankrupt)
Linc Capital ( out
of vendor and broker business, Nasdaq halts stock sales )
DVI Capital ( out
of broker )
Leasing Solutions,
San Jose ( bankrupt )
Prime Capital ( sold
off )
VGM ( out of business
)
American Business
Leasing ( gone )
Fidelity ( acquired
by ABN Amro Bank )
Phoenix ( both divisions
)
Dana ( sold off )
Rockford ( sold )
Franklin Bank ( no
more leases )
Transamerica ( sold
)
Commerce Security
( closed )
Nationbank Leasing
( closed )
Unicapital ( reportedly
struggling )
Imperial ( sold portfolio
)
Newcourt ( sold off
)
United Leasing (
out of liquidity )
Leasing Corp of America
( for sale below book value )
C&W Leasing (
bankrupt )
Merit Leasing ( gone
)
USA Leasing ( gone
)
Liberty Leasing,
SF Bay Area ( closed )
Copelco ( sold to
Citibank )
Finova ( out of market
place )
Bombadier ( reported
having problems, not confirmed )
SDI ( closed )
United Capital (
reported having problems, very bad quarter )
Charter Financial
( purchased by Wells Fargo )
New England Capital
( sold )
T&W ( lost their
capital )
METWEST LEASING CO.
Spokane, WA. ( advising brokers that they have run out of funds so they
are unable to fund a transaction we have there for funding. )
Here is the list, today:
http://www.leasingnews.org/list.htm
|
About the Company: Nationwide Funding, Irvine, CA. |
Yes,
It’s Gone---GE Capital-Colonial Pacific Leasing Broker Program
This has been officially
confirmed from several sources. On
June 3, we
had several inside
sources tell us this was happening, but the memo
was received by the
brokers who remained on the program yesterday
by fax. It appears
the original group when it moved back East went from 100 to 45, was
trimmed down again, being serviced primarily by the GE Capital Vendor
Unit.
There reportedly
was no problem with accounts or receivables, but that the
program did not fit
the GE Capital system. Without
the leadership and follow-up, including a consistent “deal flow,” the
powers that be decided
it wasn’t a profitable
enough venture---that simple.
There also appears
to be a trend from funders that brokers are charging too
many points in transactions,
plus get approval but leases not signed, and
the volume is down
in this segment.
None of the sources
that received the memo wanted to share the memo, or
go on the record,
as there are deals pending to be funded, plus residuals
on leases that are
involved.
This event may be
good for Financial Pacific, about to issue an IPO, pending
approval by the Security
Exchange Commission, plus, in alphabetical order,
Balboa Capital, ILC
Credit, Marlin Leasing, and Republic Leasing of South
Carolina (division of NetBank, not to confuse with Republic Leasing
of Colorado,) to name just a few.
Here is the news we broke on June 3:
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/June%202004/6-03-04.htm#rumors
"ELA
Asset Managers Assess the Marketplace at Spring Meeting"
ELT News
On May 19, Equipment
Leasing Association’s Equipment Management Committee held its spring
meeting in the offices of RVI Group in Stamford, Connecticut. The committee,
chaired by Sharon McKenna, RVI Group, considered a number of items,
including a debriefing of the 2004 conference held in Phoenix; preliminary
planning for the February 13-15, 2005 conference in Tucson; conducting
a 2005 Asset Management Benchmarking Survey; and revising a Maintenance
& Return Provisions Guide. To begin the meeting, committee members
spent some time assessing the current state of the marketplace. The
following are sound bites taken from that discussion:
*Originations in
the middle market “sparse”—fierce competition
*Sluggish sales,
slower growth by captive
*Asset management
dept. very busy: we look at 5 deals to book 1—larger ratio these days
*More work to win
deals—extremely competitive
*Improved repossession
environment
*“Spotty” marketplace:
very busy for 2 weeks, then not very busy the next 2
*Many deals in the
rail market right now
*Profitability strong—new
business a struggle
*Growth in healthcare,
ag markets
*Residuals realized
are meeting expectations
*Rail market is coming
back strong--asset values are recovering
*Much concern about
the OCC residual issue
*Basel II very important—in
the compliance mode at our shop—but interpretation is company-by-company
*Some increase in
aircraft leasing (wide-bodies); no increase in corporate aircraft, however
*Residuals more realistic
*Greater desire by
employees “up the food chain” to understand asset valuation
*Newer asset managers
not getting “hands-on experience”
*Much reorganization
occurring (within a larger company)
*Have a large inventory
of equipment
*Aircraft market
still in trouble
*Appraisals have
picked up sharply
*Regulatory environment
makes it very difficult to do business
Asset Managers and
Service Providers: Be sure to Save These Dates:
ELA Equipment Management
Conference & Exhibition
February 13 – 15,
2005
Westin LaPaloma Resort
Tucson, Arizona
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific
Capital Bancorp Continues to Grow
“We have exciting
growth plans endorsed by the Bank over the near term
... and all for our own account. We are now doing three
times as much
business as we were last year and still decisioning within a day under
our new credit platform.
”The challenge now is funding all of the new approvals in a timely
manner. We are trying to add funding personnel as fast as possible
to
handle the increased workload. We are excited to be able
to fill the
voids in broker funding that the industry has been experiencing.
We
hope our sources can be patient with us on the funding backlog in the
short run. My goals in this business have always been to grow
consistent, long term funding relationships with the best in the
industry.”
Best regards, Paul
*************************************************
Paul J. Menzel, CLP
Senior Vice President
Community Bank Lending Group
PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP
SANTA BARBARA BANK & TRUST
P.O. Box 60607
Santa Barbara, CA 93160-0607
1 South Los Carneros Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Dir Ph# (805)560-1650
Email PaulM@sbbt.com
Mailcode: #67
### Press Release
#############################
PACIFIC
CAPITAL BANCORP DISTRIBUTES
4-FOR-3
STOCK SPLIT
Santa Barbara, Calif.,
-- Pacific Capital Bancorp (Nasdaq:PCBC), a
community bank holding company with $5.6 billion in assets, Tuesday
distributed additional shares of its common stock as part of a 4-for-3
stock split approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and announced
May 11, 2004. The shares were distributed on June 8, 2004, to shareholders
of record as of May 25, 2004.
The 4:3 stock split will
result in one additional share for every three shares owned. Fractional
shares resulting from the stock split will be paid in cash. At the close
of the stock market today, June 8, 2004, the Company’s stock price was
adjusted by the stock dividend rate.
According to Pacific
Capital Bancorp Chairman of the Board Edward E. Birch, the stock split
will produce a 33% increase in total shares outstanding, improving the
liquidity of the Company’s stock. Pacific
Capital Bancorp had approximately 34 million shares issued and outstanding
at March 31, 2004. Following
the stock split, the Company will have approximately 45 million shares
issued and outstanding.
Pacific Capital Bancorp shareholders with questions about the transaction should contact the Company’s transfer agent, Mellon Investor Services, at (800) 522-6645,
Pacific Capital Bancorp
is the parent Company of Pacific Capital Bank, N.A., a nationally chartered
bank that operates 45 branches under the brand names of Santa Barbara
Bank & Trust, First National Bank of Central California, South Valley
National Bank, San Benito Bank and Pacific Capital Bank.
For Information Contact:
Deborah Whiteley
Investor Relations
/ Corporate Communications
(805) 884-6680
whiteley@pcbancorp.com
### Press Release
##############################
Classified Ads---Help Wanted
Accounting
 Accounting: PricewaterhouseCoopers seeks executives with experience in equipment leasing to help clients improve their leasing businesses by assessing "as is" conditions and designing and implementing solutions to operational issues. PwC also seeks CPA's with a broad based knowledge of FAS13 and familiarity with accounting for leases with simple and complex transaction structures. Email: anthony.g.anderson@us.pwc.com About the Company: PricewaterhouseCoopers, New York, NY. |
|
About the Company: Nationwide Funding, Irvine, CA. |
Equipment Sales Representative
|
Equip.
Leasing Sales Rep: Strong sales and bus. dev. skills
needed. Dev/manage portfolio, initiate bus. in upper Midwest .
3-4 yr leasing exp. www.associatedbank.com About
the Company: Associated
Banc-Corp is a diversified multibank holding co., w/ $15.5
billion in total assets. Headquartered in Green Bay, WI . Associated
has more than 200 banking locations across WI, IL and MN. |
Marketing Indirect Originator
|
|
Sales
|
About the Company: www.odysseyequipfinance.com |
|
About
the Company: |
Sales: Established 20-year
full service lessor seeks sales professional in small or mid ticket
markets. Earn high commissions, with benefits.
--- to post
a "Help Wanted" ad, please go to:
http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/PostingFormWanted.asp
Fitch:
U.S. Equipment Lease ABS Delinquency Index Remains Below 2%
During first-quarter
2004 (1Q'04), Fitch Ratings' U.S. equipment lease asset-backed securities
(ABS) delinquency index reached another record low, according to the
latest edition of 'The ABS Equipment Expo'.
As of March 31, 2004,
total delinquencies over 30 days past due fell nine basis points (bps),
or 5% from the fourth quarter to reach 1.79%. Moderate monthly volatility
during the quarter pushed the three-month moving average up 12 bps to
2.02% as the 12 month moving average fell to 2.57%.
In addition to highlighting
the delinquency index, Fitch's 'ABS Equipment Expo' newsletter features
results from Fitch's Financial Institutions Group's ' Finance Company
Capital Standards' report, a summary of Fitch-rated equipment ABS upgrades
and an 'Investor Roundtable' that discusses rating securitizations backed
by operating lease assets.
All public and 144A
Fitch-rated ABS equipment lease transactions since December 1997 are
included in Fitch's index, which now tracks the performance of 103 transactions
over a 76 month period.
'The ABS Equipment
Expo' is a publication that follows equipment lease ABS performance,
industry trends and developments within the securitization market. Both
current and historical editions of the newsletter are available on the
Fitch Ratings web site at 'www.fitchratings.com'
or by contacting the Ratings Desk at 800-893-4824.
CONTACT: Fitch Ratings
Sara Grohl, 212-908-0564
#### Press Release
###########################
Media
Capital Agreement with B2BCFO
Media Capital Associates,
LLC and B2BCFO, LLC both of Scottsdale, AZ are pleased to announce that
they have entered into an exclusive Service Provider Agreement.
Media Capital Associates,
LLC is a lease broker focusing on transactions between $25k and $500k
and will provide leasing, financing and consulting services to B2BCFO
clients.
B2BCFO is a provider
of professional accounting and business management services on a contractual
basis to medium sized businesses throughout the western United States. There are twelve exclusive B2BCFO Service
Providers and they include ADP, ADP Total Source, American Express,
M&I Bank, Lovitt & Touche, Resource Strategies, Henry Horne
PLC, The Marketing Group and Integrity Systems.
Richard Wilbur
Managing Partner
Media Capital Associates,
LLC
rick@mediacap.com
(480) 941-8558 ext
#104
### Press Release
###########################
LeaseCompare.com
Now Lets Consumers Choose a Vehicle Based on Their Desired Lease Payment;
Consumers may be surprised at the vehicles that fall within their budget.
CINCINNATI---Automobile
Consumer Services, Inc. (ACS), the leader in online, direct-to-consumer
auto leasing, has added a new service to its popular www.LeaseCompare.com website. Visitors can enter a monthly payment range and instantly see
a list of new vehicles they can lease for that payment.
For example, here is a list of ten 2004 model sedans that can be
leased with a payment in the range of $400-500 per month for 48 months:
Monthly Purchase
End of
Payment Price(a)
Lease Value Vehicle
===========================================================
$429 $31,155 $15,802 Lexus ES
330
$431 $28,347 $12,342 Volkswagen
Passat GLX
$432 $32,215 $16,920 Infiniti
G35
$439 $29,972 $13,846 Nissan Maxima
3.5 SL
$442 $26,403 $ 9,403 Pontiac Grand
Prix GTP
$455 $31,829 $15,270 Acura 3.2
TL
$461 $24,522 $ 6,113 Ford Taurus
SEL
$469 $30,785 $13,238 Chrysler
300 Limited
$485 $34,356 $16,718 BMW 325i
$494 $33,773 $15,545 Mercedes
Benz C230
(a) Note: Purchase
price is based on Edmunds.com True Market Values
for a typically equipped
vehicle and does not include applicable
rebates or local
sales tax.
Tarry Shebesta, president of ACS, explains, "Even though the
Lexus ES 330 has a purchase price that is almost $7,000 more than the
Taurus, the monthly payment is $32 less. The Nissan Maxima sells for
$3500 more than a Pontiac Grand Prix but the payments are within a few
dollars of each other. Leasing takes into account the vehicle's Residual
Value (projected market value at the end of the lease). Vehicles with
a higher residual value tend to provide a lower monthly lease payment.
Many people are surprised to learn that certain vehicles can be affordable
when leased."
By changing the payment range, term, credit score, miles per year
and down payment, a new list of vehicles instantly becomes available.
This tool saves the consumer a great deal of time shopping and is perfect
for those on a monthly budget.
This new "Compare by Payments" option can be found on
the www.LeaseCompare.com home page.
Those interested in using this new service should note that quotes provided
are real lease payments. A customer selects a vehicle from the list
and applies for credit. With credit approval, ACS secures the vehicle
for the selected payment, prepares the paperwork and arranges for delivery.
About Automobile Consumer Services, Inc. (www.acscorp.com)
Based in Cincinnati, Automobile Consumer Services, Inc. (ACS) is
a leading provider of consumer automotive services, including car buying
and leasing, fleet resources, vehicle remarketing, and used vehicle
sales.
Founded in 1989, ACS's mission is to provide services that enhance
the experience of buying or leasing a car. ACS achieves this by leading
the industry with innovative proprietary technology, superior customer
service, and years of industry experience.
Edmunds.com True Market Value(R) is a registered trademark of Edmunds.com,
Inc.
CONTACT:Automobile
Consumer Services, Inc. Tarry Shebesta, 513/527-7700, ext. 11 pr@acscorp.com
### Press Release
###########################
CF
National Bank Issues $75 Million of Subordinated Notes
WAYZATA, Minn.----TCF
National Bank ("TCF Bank") a wholly-owned subsidiary of TCF
Financial Corporation ("TCF") will issue on June 14, 2004,
$75 million of subordinated notes due 2014.
The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.0% for the first five
years and will reprice quarterly thereafter at the three-month LIBOR
rate plus 1.63%. The notes may be redeemed by TCF Bank at par after
five years and will qualify as Tier 2 or supplemental capital for regulatory
purposes, subject to certain limitations. TCF Bank will pay the proceeds
from the offering to TCF to be used for general corporate purposes,
which may include repurchases in the open market of TCF common stock.
TCF is a Wayzata, Minnesota-based national financial holding company
with $11.7 billion in assets. TCF has 406 banking offices in Minnesota,
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado and Indiana. Other TCF affiliates
provide leasing and equipment finance, mortgage banking, brokerage,
and investments and insurance sales.
This news release does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation
to sell the subordinated notes.
CONTACT:TCF National
Bank, Wayzata Jason Korstange, 952-745-2755 www.TCFExpress.com
### Press Release
##################################
SMC
Introduces Industry's First Comprehensive Leasing Program; New SMC Elite
Leasing Program Gives SMC Channel Partners a New Way to Network Their
Customers
IRVINE, Calif.--(
--SMC(R) Networks (www.smc.com), leading provider
of networking solutions for the SMB/e and all the way home, today announced
that it is offering its channel partners a new opportunity to succeed:
the SMC Elite Leasing program. The most comprehensive of its kind in
the industry, SMC's new leasing program lets customers reduce up-front
costs by leasing networking hardware, software, installation and even
warranties.
"We initiated SMC Elite
Leasing to give our reseller partners yet another way to give customers
what they need," said Tom Rizol, SMC's general manager, North America.
"Tight budgets are the norm these days, and SMC Elite Leasing helps
resellers and end customers overcome budgetary constraints to install
the right network, right now."
This newest enhancement to SMC's award-winning ElitePartner program
allows SMC's partner resellers to offer customers in North America lease
financing for any amount of equipment, software or service from $5,000
to $100,000 with submission of a simple one-page application. Quick
turnaround means that most applications can be approved in just one
day, and payments to resellers are transferred directly to the reseller's
bank account on the same day that receipt of equipment and services
is confirmed with the customer. SMC ElitePartners get their customers
the equipment they need, when they need it, with no credit risk and
no credit card transaction fees. The program even offers a "Master
Lease" that the customer can set up for purchases throughout the
year.
Recognized by VARBusiness magazine with a Five Star rating, SMC's
ElitePartner program is one of the industry's best reseller programs;
and with the addition of the SMC Elite Leasing program, it's now even
better. For more information about the SMC Elite Leasing program, visit
www.smcleasing.com, or call SMC Leasing
at 888-836-3303; to join SMC's ElitePartner program, call 800-SMC-4You.
About SMC Networks
A leading provider of networking solutions for the SMB/e and all the way home, SMC puts its more than 30 years' experience to work for every product and solution the company produces. Leveraging strong industry relationships in combination with experienced and talented in-house design and engineering, SMC continues to bring to market a host of affordable, high-performance products. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., SMC Networks supports its worldwide market through regional offices located throughout the United States and 20 other countries. For more information about SMC Networks or its products, visit www.smc.com, or call 800-SMC-4You
(800-762-4968).
CONTACT:NetPR Kimberly Maxwell, 850-835-2694, ext. 301 kimberly@netpr.net
Trisha Grahn King, 850-835-2694, ext. 303 trisha@netpr.net or SMC Networks, Irvine Tony Stramandinoli, 949-679-8057
tony.stramandinoli@smc.com
### Press Release
#################################
International
Decision Systems Chosen to Support Lease Operation For Farm Credit Leasing
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.,
USA,– International Decision Systems (IDS) announced today that, after
evaluating the top lease accounting software suppliers, Farm Credit
Leasing (FCL) and CoBank have selected IDS RapportTM as FCL’s front-end
lease solution. Serving more than 8,000 customers across the nation,
Minneapolis-based FCL manages nearly $1 billion in lease assets. Customers
include agricultural producers, cooperatives, Farm Credit associations,
agribusinesses, and rural electric, communications and water companies.
Mike Romanowski,
Vice President of Strategic Relationships for FCL’s parent company CoBank,
views the selection of IDS as a significant strategic advantage for
FCL-CoBank and its customers. “IDS products and services give us the
ability to better support our customers and the Farm Credit System.
With IDS’ domain expertise, we gain significant ability to better serve
our markets. Our selection of IDS Rapport will help us achieve our short-term
and long-term business goals.”
Rapport simplifies
lease/loan procedures by offering one solution for contract origination
through booking, including pricing, credit application, credit scoring
and documentation, vendor/partner management, and setup.
“Our relationship
with FCL-CoBank is indicative of the strength of IDS solutions and our
commitment to our partners,” states IDS Vice President Ron Dolan. “We’re
pleased to enable FCL-CoBank to deliver market-leading solutions to
their customers by using Rapport to dynamically configure their business
processes and support an ever-changing business environment.”
For more information
about IDS solutions, visit www.idsgrp.com.
About International
Decision Systems
International Decision
Systems (IDS) is the global leader in developing lease/loan accounting
and portfolio management software and services. Headquartered in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, IDS has offices in London, Sydney, and Singapore. IDS offers
the largest and most experienced global consulting, implementation,
and technical support teams in the leasing industry. For additional
information about International Decision Systems, visit <http://www.idsgrp.com/>
.
About CoBank
As Rural America’s Cooperative Bank, CoBank specializes in providing financial solutions and leasing services to cooperatives, agribusinesses, Farm Credit associations, and rural communications, energy and water companies. The bank also finances agricultural exports and is the owner of Farm Credit Leasing Services Corporation. CoBank has a national office in Denver, additional offices across the U.S. and three international representative offices. CoBank is part of the $117-billion U.S. Farm Credit System. Additional information about the bank is available at <http://www.cobank.com/> . Additional information about FCL is available at
www.fcleasing.com
or by calling 1 (800) 444-2929.
Media Contacts:
Gwen Chynoweth,
Maccabee Group,
612-337-0087,
gwen@maccabee.com
Deb Marshall,
IDS Marketing Director,
612-851-3438,
### Press Release
################################
|
The only annually-updated international reference book for the asset financing and leasing industry available. The new 25th edition includes the latest market trends , over 100 authoritative articles and reports on the leasing software and IT market, an exclusive ranking of the top 50 leasing markets by size worldwide with feature profiles from Africa to Venezuela PLUS a directory of over 4,400 contacts. HOW TO ORDER - Simply call our Customer Hotline on +44 (0) 20 7779 8999 or toll free in the US +1 800 437 9997. Alternatively visit https://www.euromoneyplc.com/ to order online |
Fitch:
Positive Rating Actions Possible For Some Major European Banks
Fitch Ratings-London/Paris:
Fitch Ratings, the international rating agency, says positive rating
actions are conceivable for some major European banks during the second
half of 2004. With pressure on ratings having eased over the past 12
months, no significant negative rating actions on Europe's 20 largest
banking groups are envisaged during the second half of 2004.
In a Special Report
published today, "Major European Banks: Semi-Annual Review and
Outlook A rosier year for European Banking", Fitch says after a
turbulent couple of years, the past year has seen a turnaround in fortunes
for many of Europe's largest banking groups (measured by consolidated
equity), and ratings are now stabilising, as indicated by the Stable
Outlook carried by 18 of them..
Profitability for
2003 returned close to 2000 levels for many banks. The recovery was
driven to a large extent by better asset quality, but also by higher
revenues on the back of strong lending growth and more favourable capital
market conditions, as well as tight cost control. Only the German banks
continued to stand apart from the rest of their European peers, with
two of the three largest banks sinking even further into loss in 2003.
The UK banks remained, on average, the most profitable banks in Europe.
The vast improvement
in first quarter results compared to last year has helped 2004 get off
to a good start for most banks. Fitch is relatively optimistic about
the earnings prospects for the majority of the largest European banking
groups for the remainder of the year. Nevertheless, while Europe's economic
outlook is brighter than 12 months ago and favourable capital market
conditions are, for the present, underpinning investment banking and
asset management activities, rising interest rates are now in prospect
and global economic growth remains threatened by the imbalances in the
US economy and by the possibility of further jumps in oil prices. Deteriorating
conditions in the buoyant fixed-income markets are also expected in
the second half of the year. It is, therefore, important that banks
continue to focus their efforts on revenue growth and diversification,
without compromising asset quality, and at the same time keep costs
under control.
The German banks
have their own challenges. Having substantially boosted their loan loss
reserves, taken big mark-to-market hits on their equity investments
and improved their capitalisation, the worst is now probably behind
them, and 2004 looks more promising. Nevertheless, revenue generation
remains a concern, particularly for Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank
and Dresdner Bank.
Fitch expects to
see further consolidation among European banks. The German banking sector
is most in need of consolidation, but Fitch believes that the pace will
be slow. Elsewhere, the robust financial condition of many major European
banking groups is encouraging them to look for potential acquisitions.
While most of these are likely to be fairly small bolt-on acquisitions,
a major cross-border transaction at European level cannot be excluded.
A copy of the full
report is available on Fitch's website, www.fitchratings.com.
Contact: Alison Le
Bras, Paris, Tel : +33 1 44 29 91 46; Gerry Rawcliffe, London, +44 20
7862 4019.
Fitch will be hosting
its annual Global Banking Conference in New York on 17 June and in London
on 25 June, please see the agency's website for registration details.
### Press Release
#################################
Fitch
Ratings Issues Comment on Mexico
Fitch Ratings-New
York-: Fitch Ratings, the international rating agency, today said that
Mexico needs to implement economic reforms in order to sustain the economic
recovery currently underway. Mexico's short-term economic indictors
point to an economic rebound after three years of sluggish growth.
In a report titled
'United Mexican States: Sustaining the Economic Recovery', Fitch says
that in the absence of reforms, Mexico's economy remains heavily reliant
on the U.S. for economic growth. The report cautions that notwithstanding
the recent economic recovery - underpinned by higher industrial production
and stronger export growth - competitive pressures facing Mexico continue
to mount. Mexico appears to have lost its advantage in labor-intensive
maquila products to countries in Central America and China in particular.
In Fitch's view, the recovery in the maquila and the overall manufacturing
sector needs to be closely monitored to assess the extent of damage
from intense competition.
The report commends
the authorities for adept macroeconomic management during the past three
years of regional turmoil and slow domestic growth. During this period,
fiscal targets have been met and the central bank has remained committed
to achieving its inflation target. However, Fitch believes that Mexico
needs to make progress on structural reforms in order to consolidate
its current economic recovery, boost its competitiveness and improve
its attractiveness to foreign investors. Reforms in the labor market
and electricity sectors, and further improvements in the regulatory
and business environment should help Mexico regain some share of its
export markets. At the same time, fiscal reform aimed at improving the
tax-to-GDP ratio needs to be pursued. Greater resources could be used
to reduce reliance on oil revenues and increase spending on infrastructure
and social sectors.
Fitch remains concerned
about the lack of political consensus on structural reforms and believes
that political wrangling will increase in the coming year ahead of presidential
and congressional elections in 2006, making cooperation on reforms rather
difficult. Fitch notes that in the absence of substantive reforms, the
credit Outlook of Mexico may only improve if there is a sharp decline
in the public sector external debt burden. In contrast, inertia in pursuing
reforms may adversely affect international confidence and prevent the
economy from growing at a faster pace. Policy slippage, especially fiscal
related would be viewed negatively.
The full report is
available on the Fitch Ratings web site at 'www.fitchratings.com'.
Contact: Shelly Shetty
+1-212-908-0324 or Roger M. Scher +1-212-908-0240, New York
### Press Release
################################
De
Lage Landen appoints Tom Hammer as Vice President - Healthcare Asset
Management
WAYNE, Pa.,– De Lage
Landen Financial Services, a leading international provider of high-quality
asset-based finance products to manufacturers and distribtors of capital
goods, has appointed Tom Hammer as Vice President – Healthcare Asset
Management.
In this capacity, Hammer will have overall responsibility for
supporting the company's Healthcare Strategic Business Unit and Philips
Medical Capital, its joint venture with Philips Medical Systems North
America, in maximizing the residual value at end of lease for a full
range of healthcare equipment.
He will report directly to David Kovacs, head of Asset Management
for De Lage Landen.
Hammer brings more than 25 years of experience in asset management,
as well as in the healthcare industry, to his new position. Most recently,
he served as Vice President – Marketing Services for DVI Financial Services,
Inc. a leading specialty finance company for healthcare providers worldwide,
headquartered in Jamison, PA. Prior to that time, he held management
positions of increasing responsibility with industry leaders Toshiba
America Medical Sales, Thompson CGR Medical and Picker Medical Sales.
De Lage Landen International B.V. is a Netherlands-based international
provider of high-quality asset financing products. With a presence in
more than 20 countries across the globe, the company focuses on the
following industries: Food & Agriculture, Healthcare, Office Equipment,
Telecommunications, Technology Finance, Materials Handling & Construction
and Financial Institutions. In its domestic market the company offers
Equipment Leasing, Consumer Finance, Car & Commercial Vehicle Leasing,
ICT Leasing and Trade Finance through local Rabobanks and direct to
market.
De Lage Landen is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dutch Rabobank
Group that is AAA-rated by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. In 2003
De Lage Landen grew its profits to $129.7 million (€114.8 million) and
its balance sheet total to $17.8 billion (€14.1 billion).
For more information, please visit our Website: www.delagelanden.com
CONTACT:
Ronald Slaats
De Lage Landen Financial
Services
Phone Number: 610
386 5023
Fax Number: 610 386
5840
E-mail: rslaats@leasedirect.com
### Press Release
################################
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News
Briefs---
Pacific Rim Leaders
Sound Warning on Oil
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30094-2004Jun10.html
on Oil
Wholesale inventories
fall unexpectedly in April
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/production/
2004-06-09-wholesale-inventories_x.htm
Out-of-reach housing
prices called a growing national problem
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20040608-9999-1b8nation.html
Study says 80% of
junk e-mail is relayed innocently
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2004/06/09/home
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Gimme
that Wine”
Napa Valley Vintners
Release Scientific Findings Confirming the Diverse, Unique Natural Character
of the Napa Valley Appellation
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId
=news_view&newsId=20040609005243&newsLang=en
Beaucastel Collection At Tablas Creek
http://www.winesandvines.com/headline_06_08_04_tablas.html
Beringer shifting
wineries' priorities (hope Oroppas not affected )
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/news/09beringer_e1.html
Ordering liquor online
sets off legal challenges
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-06-09-alcohol-cover_x.htm
Alcohol shipping
regulations
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004/alcohol-policy.htm
INDIANA: Boutique
wine industry launches tourism trail
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/06/07/travel1133EDT0935.DTL
Amateur winemakers
make their mark in county competition
http://www.recordnet.com/articlelink/060904/lifestyle/articles/060904-l-1.php
Lemberger A Hit In Finger Lakes
http://www.winesandvines.com/headline_06_08_04_finger.html
The Rewards of the
Pampered Grape---Eric Asimov
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/09/dining/09MACO.html
This
Day in American History
1586-
A major tornado was reported at 2:30pm Whatever happened to Jamestown? Perhaps it was a hurricane or a tornado?
. In 1586, Sir Walter Raleigh’s Virginia colonists off the coast
of North Carolina reported a
tornado that they
feared would destroy their buildings if it came ashore. A hurricane of record on August 15, 1635 ravaged the Plymouth colony,
according
to a diary of the
time. Of course, they were also not getting along with the American
Indians, just putting down a major revolt, but it also could have
been a hurricane.
1652-
In defiance of English colonial law, John Hull, a silversmith, established
the first mint in American. The
first coin issued was the Pine Tree Shilling, designed by Hull.
1794-African-American Richard Allen founded the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASallen.htm
1799—birthday
of African-American Joseph Boulogne Saint-Georges, composer, violinist
and champion fencer.
http://www.artaria.com/Composer/FullBios/StGeorges_Full.htm
http://membres.lycos.fr/fameuxchevalier/
1833-Birthday
of Pauline Cushman - U.S. actor and lecturer, served as spy for the
Union cause during the Civil War, even to dressing in Confederate uniforms.
She was captured and escaped twice. When captured a third time,
she was condemned to death by hanging.
She became ill and her hanging was postponed by Gen. Bragg, who
wished to make an example of her, until "she was well enough to
be hanged." Before the sentence could be carried out, Union forces
drove back Bragg's army and she was set free.
http://www.civilwar.si.edu/leaders_cushman.html
http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_pauline_cushman.htm
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USACWcushmanP.jpg
1875-
James Augustine Healey becomes the first Black Catholic Bishop in the
United States.
1889-birthday
of Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American to win an Academy
Award. She won it in 1940 for her role in the 1939 film Gone With the
Wind. Her career spanned radio and vaudeville in addition to her screen
roles in Judge Priest, The Little Colonel, Showboat and Saratoga, among
others. She was born at Wichita, KS, and died Oct 26, 1952, at Los Angeles,
CA.
http://www.elzey.com/mammy/index.html
http://www.americanheritage.com/amlegacy/mammy_1.html
http://www.filmsite.org/gone.html
1898-U.S.
Marines landed at Guantánamo Bay. Spanish
colonial rule comes
to an end in the
Western hemisphere as the US “free’s” Cuba. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun10.html
1902-a
lease and a window envelope: Americus F. Callahan of Chicago, Il received a patent for an envelope
with a window. It was first
manufactured in July, 1902, by the U.S. Envelope Company of Springfield,
MA, which had leased the patent.
1907-Birthday
of Dickey Wells Birthday (featured trombone player
with Count Basie-“Dickey’s Dream.”)
1910-birthday
of guitarist/harmonicist Howlin’ Wolf, West Point, MS He was one of
the most influential musicians of the post Second World War era, and
his blues helped shape rock 'n' roll. Howlin' Wolf had his first R'n'B
hit, "Moanin' at Midnight," in 1951. The next year, he moved
to Chicago, where he recorded a string of classic sides for Chess Records.
Among them were "Sitting on Top of the World," "Spoonful,"
"Smokestack Lightnin'," and "Little Red Rooster."
His hits, many of them written by Willie Dixon, have been covered by
countless rock artists, such as the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds and
Led Zeppelin.Wolf appeared frequently at blues and rock festivals in
the 1960's and '70s. He died in 1976 of complications from kidney disease.
http://allmusic.com/cg/x.dll?p=amg&sql=B60993~C
1919-
Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan became the first states to ratify
the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would remove the barriers
to women voting in the U.S. Women
had been voters in several states in colonial days, but in the 1787
at the U. S. Constitutional Convention (built on the precept that all
men are created equal), the right to qualify voters was placed in the
hands of the states that had already deemed women unqualified to vote.
The one exception was New Jersey, which fell into line in 1807.
It wasn't until Carrie Chapman Catt devised "The Plan"
in 1916 - to fight for the vote nationally while continuing the state-by-state
march - that the first recognition came that only the federal government
could or would guarantee women's rights on a permanent basis.
1921-
Yankee slugger Babe Ruth hits his 120th home run off Indian pitcher
Jim Bagby to become baseball's career home run leader. It is a position
the 'Sultan of Swat' will hold until Hank Aaron hits number 715 in 1974.
1922-
birthday of Judy Garland, American actress and singer born Frances Cumin
at Grand Rapids, MN. While Garland played in many films and toured widely
as a singer and great entertainer. Her greatest triumph came in 1939
with the film "The Wizard of Oz," which introduced the never-to-be
forgotten song "Over the Rainbow." Garland's recording of
the tune sold over a million copies. She was given a special Academy
Award in 1939 for her outstanding performances as a screen juvenile.
Her other big musical films included "Meet Me in St. Louis,"
"Easter Parade" and "A Star Is Born." Garland suffered
a nervous collapse in 1950, but was able to resume her career the following
year.. Died June 22, 1969, at London, England. http://www.jgarland.com/
http://www.thejudyroom.com/timeline.html
http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/
1923-
Paul Brunelle, one of the first country and western singers in Quebec,
was born in Granby. He performs both in French and English and has been
compared to Ernest Tubb. Brunelle has recorded more than 100 singles
and more than 40 albums.
1933-Golfer
Johnny Goodman defeated Ralph Guldahl by one shot at North Shore Golf
Club in Glenvielw, IL, to become the last amateur to win the US Open championship.
1935-
On this day in Akron, Ohio, Dr. Robert Smith completed his
first day of permanent sobriety. “Doctor Bob” and William G. Wilson are considered to have founded Alcoholics Anonymous on that date. It is considered the first step to be the hardest, to admit you have a problem. The twelve steps are used often, not necessarily like a ladder, and it is common for relapses, thus the reason to alcoholics to attend meetings; a sponsor is also recommended.
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/
1940-Erskin
Hawkins records “After Hours” ( Bluebird 10879)
http://www.savoyplaque.org/about_savoy.htm
1941--Shirley
Alston Reeves, lead singer of the Shirelles, is born.
http://www.nealhollanderagency.com/reeves/reeves.html
1943-
Hungarian Laszlo Biro patented the bail-point pen, which he had been
developing since the 1930s. He was living at Argentina, where he had
gone to escape the Nazis. In many languages, the word for ball-point
pen is ‘biro.’
He lost his patent
rights during the war. http://www.autographica.co.uk/html/history_of_pens.html
1944—for
trivia buffs: with baseball’s playing ranks depleted by World War II,
Joe Nuxhall became the youngest person ever to play in a major league
game. Nuxhall pitched 2/3rds
of an inning for the Cincinnati reds in an 18-0 loss to the St. Louis
cardinals. Nuxhall was 15 years, 10 months and 11 days old.
1945---Top
Hits
Sentimental Journey
- The Les Brown Orchestra (vocal: Doris Day)
Dream - The Pied
Pipers
Laura - The Woody
Herman Orchestra
At Mail Call Today
- Gene Autry
1946-Dizzy
Gillespie’s big band records Tadd Dameron’s “Our Delight http://www.photogiftcards.com/Product.asp?prodcode=CM02&catcode=MUSIC”.
1953---Top
Hits
Song from Moulin
Rouge - The Percy Faith Orchestra
April in Portugal
- The Les Baxter Orchestra
Pretend - Nat King
Cole
Take These Chains
from My Heart - Hank Williams
1954-General
Motors, Detroit, MI, announced it had logged 2,000 miles on a gas-turbine
bus. The engine used a single
burner and two turbine wheels, one to drive the centrifugal compressor,
the other to drive a transmission that was connected to the rear wheels
of the bus.
http://www.aircav.com/histturb.html
http://www-psao.grc.nasa.gov/Reengine/history.html
1958
- A woman was sucked through the window of her home in El Dorado, KS,
by a powerful tornado, and was carried sixty feet away. Beside her was
found a broken phonograph record entitled "Stormy Weather"
1961---Top
Hits
Running Scared -
Roy Orbison
Moody River - Pat
Boone
Stand by Me - Ben
E. King
Hello Walls - Faron
Young
1962-The
Equal Pay Act of 1963 became law. This ban on sex discrimination in wages was
“to prohibit discrimination on account of sex in the payment of wages
by employers engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce.”
According to recent
statistics, equal pay is still not a reality, but has come further
than it was over
forty ago.
1964-The
Rolling Stones meet two of their idols during a recording session as
they run into bluesmen Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters at Chicago's Chess
studios.
1966
- The first use of reversed tape was heard in the song "Rain"
(or "niaR") by The Beatles. The tune was the ‘B’ side of "Paperback
Writer". The technique was discovered and refined by John Lennon
-- by accident. It was used in several other songs by the group.
1969---Top
Hits
Get Back - The Beatles
Love (Can Make You
Happy) - Mercy
Grazing in the Grass
- The Friends of Distinction
Singing My Song -
Tammy Wynette
1972--
Passing Willie Mays into second place on the career home run list, Hank
Aaron hits his 649th round tripper. The historic homer is 'Hammerin
Hank's' 14th grand slam tying Gil Hodges' National League record.
1972
- Sammy Davis, Jr. earned his place at the top of the popular music
charts for the first time, after years in the entertainment business.
His number one song, "The Candy Man", stayed at the top for
three consecutive weeks. The
story behind the song, Sammy Davis didn’t like it because of the double
meaning of “drugs.” Mike Curb
of MGM convinced him to record it, as MGM was going to use the song
in the theme of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
As a favor, Sammy Davis said he would record the song, but only
“one take and that’s it.” His pal Frank Sinatra was known to do this,
too: “one take.” Sure enough, in that one-time recording, Sammy nailed
it. "The Candy Man" stayed on the pop charts for 16 weeks.
The best the legendary performer had done before was 12 weeks for "Love
Me or Leave Me" in 1955 and 11 weeks for "I’ve Gotta Be Me"
(from "Golden Rainbow") in 1969. After "The Candy Man"
became a hit, Davis included it in his stage shows and concerts.
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/articles/ftio0201_02.htm
1974-The
Who begins a four day stint at Madison Square Garden. Tickets sold out
in 60 hours -- a full two months before the concerts.
1976
- Paul McCartney and Wings set a record for an indoor concert crowd
as 67,100 fans gathered in Seattle, WA to hear the former Beatle and
his new group.
1977---Top
Hits
Sir Duke - Stevie
Wonder
I’m Your Boogie Man
- KC & The Sunshine Band
Dreams - Fleetwood
Mac
Luckenbach, Texas
(Back to the Basics of Love) - Waylon Jennings
1977-
Allen L. Geiberger of California shot a 59 in the second round of the
Danny Thomas Memphis Open at the Colonial Country course, Memphis, TN,
becoming the first golfer to break 60 in a professional tournament. His score was 273 and he won $40,000. http://services.golfweb.com/ga/bios/spga/geiberger_al.html
1977-Lucy
Harris of Delta State became the first woman basketball player selected
in the NBA draft. She was selected
in the seventh round by the New Orleans jazz but chose not to try out
for the team.
1978-Joe
Walsh's "Life's Been Good" is released.
1978-“Affirmed,”
ridden by Steve Cauthen, won the Belmont Stakes to become the 11th
horse to wine the Triple Crown, in one of racing’s greatest two-horse
competitions. “Affirmed” edged
Alydor in all three Triple Crown races.
1982-Birthday
of Tara Lipinski, youngest girl to ever win the ice figure skating Olympic
gold. The adulation following her stunning victory
led to excesses and she became addicted to drugs. She has never been
able to regain her amazing Olympic form.
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/javiermoreno/
1985---Top
Hits
Everybody Wants to
Rule the World - Tears for Fears
Suddenly - Billy
Ocean
Things Can Only Get
Better - Howard Jones
Natural High - Merle
Haggard
2002-
In front of 45,698 fans at Yankee Stadium, Marcus Thames becomes the
17th player in history to hit a home run on the first pitch he sees
in the major leagues. The New York rookie, who hit his two-run dinger
off four-time Cy Young winner Diamondback southpaw Randy Johnson, joins
John Miller (1966) as only the second Yankee to homer in his first at-
bat.
Stanley Cup Champions This Date
1996 Colorado Avalanche
Baseball
Poem
1933, Reagan's voice
carried him to Des Moines and WOC's larger sister station, WHO. Broadcasting
over a new 50,000-watt clear-channel station that carried throughout
the Midwest, Reagan became a well-known sports announcer whose specialty
was creating play-by-play accounts of Chicago Cubs baseball games that
the station received by wire.
Gene Autry poem by Jack Buck
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is from a poem
written by the famous radio announcer Jack Buck, the voice of the St.
Louis Cardinals for over 50 years.
This was written for Gene Autry's 83rd Birthday Party in 1990.
There are many similarities to Ronald Reagan:
The
Last Cowboy
As
America grew
and
headed west,
Gene
Autry was there
and
he was the best.
He
tapped telegraph keys
then
starred on the screen,
the
greatest Saturday star
young
eyes had seen.
He
wore a white hat
and
the kids always knew
he'd
do the right thing
they
wanted him to.
He
could shoot at a target
and
invariably hit it
while
jumping a river,
and
he sand as he did it.
He
crooned "South of the Border"
and
sang on Christmas morn,
the
most glamorous cowboy
ever
born.
His
ride through life
is
matched by no other,
a
business tycoon,
yet
everyone's brother.
He
has enjoyed life to the fullest
and
made our lives richer,
but
he'd have traded it all
for
a World Series pitcher.
We
salute him today
and
we'll love him tomorrow,
the
last cowboy's life
was
ours to borrow.
Little
did he know
when
he named his horse,
he
was describing himself-
Champion,
or course!
A
Poem Often Quoted by Ronald Reagan
We will never forget
them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared
for their journey and waved good-bye and "slipped the surly bonds
of earth" to "touch the face of God."
- Ronald Reagan,
Jan. 28, 1986
The phrases "slipped
the surly bonds of earth" and "touch the face of God"
came from another poem.
This poem is “High
Flight” and was written by John Gillespie Magee, a fighter pilot with
the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. He was killed
at the age of 19 during a training flight.
His inspiration for
the poem was that at 30,000 feet, he thought he could “touch the face
of God.” What a liberating feeling that must have been!
High
Flight
Oh!
I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And
danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward
I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of
sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You
have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High
in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've
chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My
eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .
Up,
up the long, delirious burning blue
I've
topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where
never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And,
while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The
high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put
out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie
Magee, Jr
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