Seems like only yesterday I was assigned to Fort Worth. Actually its been a year and a half. A hard year and a half, but I can't think of a better group of individuals to have worked with during these trying times. Now I've been asked to move to North. Little Rock; my eighth move in 27 years with the Union Pacific.
As all of you know, the last year has been one of the most difficult periods in Union Pacific's history (especially in Texas). The worst seems to have passed and things are starting to improve. Union Pacific still faces many challenges as we complete the merger, but we've come a long way in putting the two company's together. Hopefully, we're learning from our mistakes and can regain our customers confidence in Union Pacific.
Enough about the bad news. Now for the good news -- Your safety record. Through the five months of 1998, Fort Worth Division lead the way in Safety for the entire Union Pacific with a 1.00 reportable rate per 200,000 man-hours. Just 2 reportable injuries (and neither were life-threatening). And, the major yards in Fort Worth, Dallas, Ney and Mesquite have been injury free for 1998.
It's impossible to personally visit with each of you before leaving, but I do want to thank you for all your help over the last year and a half and to wish you well in the future.