Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Business Journal and Other Publications Quarter 4 2016 Business Journal | Page 8

YOUR CHAMBER Which THEODOR SEUSS GEISEL, ILLUSTRATOR DALE STEENBERGEN, CEO/PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER CHEYENNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WHO ARE YOU? I am sure as children we all read, or as an adult we read to like Horton. We should be highly aware of the activities around us, our children or grandchildren the story of Horton Hears a Who. always paying special attention to the details so that we recognize Horton is an elephant that hears a tiny community, Whoville, on a challenges and problems to respond in a way that shows flower but everyone around him thinks he has gone off his rocker commitment and resolve for what we know is right. We should also because they can’t hear a thing. Those around Horton tie him be like Horton when Facebook goes nuts, the press has missed up and start dragging him toward the pot to boil his flower in oil. the facts, or when we are getting a “bad rap”. If the math has been Horton fights for all he is worth and the Mayor of Whoville enlists done and the facts are known to us, we should stand with resolve everyone to say, “We are here! We are here!” By the end of the to do what is right for our members and our community. Certainly, story, one small child is not shouting. When they finally get him to we can never be as strong as the ideal of a hero in a child’s join the crowd, the noise becomes loud enough for everyone to storybook, but we can aspire to stand up with the same tenacity hear. Horton is redeemed, Whoville is saved, and the animals that and commitment as Horton in every obstacle we face. thought Horton crazy finally realized the error in their ways. Life is certainly more complicated than a children’s story, but sometimes nobody What about the Whos? The Whos play a much different role in the story, but there is much to be learned from them as well. The community is ultimately saved because every can teach us a lesson as well as Dr. Seuss. Horton was committed Who pitched in and made noise. Living in a small state and mid- to his cause. When everyone around Horton doubted him, size town, we have a lot in common with the Whos. In a world condemned him, mocked him, and even threatened his physical that responds to power and noise, we have neither the luxury, nor well-being, he stayed committed to his cause, to what he knew the opportunity, for someone else to do the work for us. We must was right. Your Chamber of Commerce should always strive to be band together as a unit if we are to progress as a community. The 8 | Quarter 4 M 2016