We believe the transaction and the strategic rationale for this combination are in the best interests of our patients, employees, customers and shareholders -- reflecting the full value of our firm.

This agreement makes sense for Guidant shareholders and employees. It amplifies the opportunity for us to do more for patients with cardiovascular disease through a union with Johnson & Johnson.

I had to let my employees go. There were four of them.

We're grieving for our employees, our customers, their families and their loved ones.

Many employees taken on during the bubble period can be viewed as the human equivalent of bad loans. But the refusal by bank management teams during the 1990's to take responsibility and step down to make way for young aggressive talent has undermined reform.

[Klien commended IBM for sponsoring the program and urged other corporations to follow. ] IBM employees are smart, highly motivated and thousands of them already volunteer and tutor in America's public schools, ... Now, many of them will become terrific full-time teachers with the company's strong support. I hope more companies and organizations will follow IBM's great example.