Excerpt of Remarks Delivered by John W. Rowe, M.D., Chairman, President and CEO, Aetna Inc.
Annual Shareholders Meeting, April 26, 2002
I'm sure many of you have been reading about slavery reparations.
In early 2000, the fact that Aetna had written insurance policies on slaves more than 140 years ago was brought to the attention of Aetna's management. They were deeply disappointed and embarrassed. At the time, the company expressed regret for its role in an awful period in our country's history.
Today, I wish to reiterate a sincere apology for the actions of our company in its earliest days. Slavery is morally wrong and reprehensible.
Today, there remain significant concerns about race in America. Major disparities continue to exist in education, in economic opportunity and in health care.
The Aetna of today is determined to be a leader in addressing these problems. We are proud of our recent record, but also actively seeking additional ways to be a force for positive change. For example, we have an opportunity to make a difference in eliminating disparities in health care and in health status. I am determined that we will pursue initiatives in this area.
The Aetna of today is a place driven by integrity, fairness and a commitment to equal opportunity. Diversity is embedded in this company's values. It is reflected in our people, in our leadership, and through our contributions to the communities we serve. It is a cornerstone of our strength and crucial to our success going forward.
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