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Transcript of Remarks by Chris Littlefield

Thank you, Jerry.

Members and friends of the NPC, thank you for your gracious invitation to join you in this first major celebration of your historic Centennial in 2008.

On behalf of Aviva USA, I can say that it has been a remarkable experience to be with you for the premiere of "The NPC at 100: A Century of Headlines" documentary film.

What an extraordinary way to commemorate the journalism profession, the First Amendment and the profound contributions of the press and media to America and our world.

Aviva USA's president and CEO, Tom Godlasky, joins me in congratulating the National Press Club on its 100th anniversary, and thanking you for the signal honor of Aviva receiving the first National Press Club Centennial - Founders Award.

Aviva has a proud history of corporate social responsibility, support for community, education and forward thinking.

Our partnership with the NPC to distribute 12,000 DVDs of this outstanding film to schools of journalism, public libraries and community organizations in 2008 is in perfect synch with our business and civic responsibilities.

However, I sense that some of you may be thinking: "Who IS Aviva?"

Well, here is some perspective:

Procter & Gamble is a familiar name.

Aviva's global revenues are more than $15 billion greater than Procter & Gamble's.

AT&T?

Aviva's global revenues are $20 billion greater than AT&T's.

Microsoft?

Aviva's global revenues are nearly double those of Microsoft.

As you are beginning to understand, Aviva is one of the largest global companies you may never have heard of and is ranked 50th on the 2007 Global Fortune 500 list.

And Aviva is the 5th largest insurance group in the world.

You also may be wondering why Aviva has chosen to underwrite the national distribution of the National Press Club s Centennial documentary.

Walter Cronkite described our motivation well in the film: Aviva shares the strong belief that a free press and the professional journalists who contribute their skills and talents to a free press are fundamental to the workings of democracy; and we believe that our sponsorship of the NPC's Centennial is a great opportunity to highlight the considerable contributions made by journalists and the National Press Club.

Last night I had the opportunity to participate for the first time in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

It was a momentous event... community-based national politics punctuated with record turnout and thousands of people committed to having their voices heard. (You have to be committed to attend an evening caucus in Iowa in January.) Last night's experience in Iowa and tonight's experience with you watching this marvelous Centennial film are great reminders of the central role that the First Amendment, professional journalism and an informed public play in democratic societies... something that we cannot be reminded of too frequently in these turbulent times.

Thank you again for permitting Aviva to be part of the NPC's Centennial and our very best wishes for your continued success!

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