Disneyland Celebrates Walt's 100th
Page 5 of 11

Cynthia introduces Disney Legend, John Hench
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Clip 4: Harriss' introduction of John Hench (2 minutes, 45 seconds)
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Cynthia Harriss
Thank you, Richard. That was so marvelous. Wasn’t that marvelous?

Well, to continue the celebration of Walt’s Centennial birthday we are thrilled to dedicate the now world famous Partners statue. Since its unveiling in 1993 this beautiful sculpture of Walt and his pal, Mickey have become the most recognized and photographed icon here at Disneyland Park. And its popularity with our guests has been so tremendous that today you’ll also see a replica of this wonderful piece of art at the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort and also in Tokyo Disneyland. This magnificent work of art truly captures the wonder and imagination that Walt embodied himself. It was designed by a man who knew and worked closely with Walt over many, many years. So let me tell you a little about this legendary artist. He began as a sketch artist in the story department in the old Hyperion Avenue Studios in 1939. His artistic talents were devoted to so many of the wonderful Disney animated films such as Fantasia, Dumbo, Cinderella and Peter Pan. As an innovator his leadership and his creativity and were such a part of ensuring 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea earned for our company the Academy Award for Best Special Effects. While as a project designer he helped develop many theme parks and lands and attractions. So many of them such as the original Tomorrowland, the Carousel of Progress, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and of course, small world.

In fact he's lent his imagination and creativity to every theme park around the globe for the company as he has done in his dedicated and long career. And today he serves as the official sketch artist for Mickey Mouse and is the senior vice president at Walt Disney Imagineering. It is now my tremendous honor to welcome a man who holds the distinction of being the longest tenured employee of the Walt Disney Company. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to the Disney Legend, our most beloved John Hench.

You Can Fly! You Can Fly! accompanies John Hench's walk to the podium.

John Hench
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Clip 5: John Hench's speech (1 minute, 41 seconds)
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John Hench
Thank you, thank you very much. I also had the luck to be part of the team. I came in 39 as well as Blaine. And the remarkable thing about Walt was he never kept his thoughts to himself. He certainly knew what he was about. And I don’t know how many times over we heard that he wanted Disneyland most of all, he put it that way, most of all to be a happy place. And a place where, I suppose you’ve heard it too, a place where adults and children could experience together something of the wonders of life, of adventure. And then he wanted it to make them feel good about it because of the fact of Disneyland.

I think that it really explains a lot about Walt. He was a caring man. He cared about people which explains why this is still a happy place and it will be a happy place for years and years and years to come.