On Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, NAIFA President-Elect Robert Miller opened the General Session with attention to the terrorist attacks ten years prior.
"We are standing up for our freedom by being in Washington today," he said.
Miller introduced the 2010-2011 Officers and Trustees, as well as current President Terry Headley, who was optimistic about the state of the association. "NAIFA and our members represent the best and the only hope for the American people to reach financial freedom," Headley said.
The President's Report started with a moment of silence at 9:37, marking the moment the plane hit the Pentagon. In his report, Headley noted external challenges rooted in the intrusion of government in the industry. "We must come together for a common interest if we are to prevail," he said. "We cannot continue down this unsustainable path."
Headley said that while ignoring the economical and political realities of today is not a winning perspective, NAIFA is "built for times like these," and will prevail in the future.
Two speakers were featured in the general session. Professional exhibition skydiver Jim McCormick used his experiences to provide insight into improving performance by facing fears through intelligent risk-taking.
The takeaway? “A consistent pattern of intelligent risk-taking will yield rewards you otherwise would never experience,” McCormick said.
In a presentation laden with emotion, Chief Richard Picciotto, FDNY, who was trapped in the North Tower after its collapse, provided a first-person account of the Sept. 11 tragedy and rescue efforts. He left the audience in awe of his courage and inspired to become more united as a country.
He said that the country has lost the unity experienced after Sept. 11 due to partisan politics. “It just has to stop,” he said. “Our differences are minor.”