21 years old, eh? That seems about right - my daughter Sarah was born during the first year of Western States, and she's turning 21. We put her photo on the cover of the first issue of the Western States newsletter, held in the arms of Len Norwitz, one of our first staff - Rebecca Roby and Jill Spencer were in that picture, too. How time flies! I was lucky enough to work at Western States from that beginning, as the founding director. so I think now about what this achievement represents - 21 years of organizational life, and Western States Center still going strong. And I think about one of the ways we always thought, and taught, about political leadership. Leaders can have different motivations and goals - they can be like architects, seeking to build bold and discrete monuments that stand; or, they can be like teachers, content to have small, incremental impact on many, many people, who themselves then grow and impact the world. Western States - still standing, to be sure! - is more like that teacher. Just through CSTI - 16 years old, now? Or is it 18? - if you think that 3-400 people have come through each and every year, that means that thousands of people, many more than once, took classes in organizing, met fine leaders and trainers from around the country, considered issues and future possibilities from the perspective of justice and political power - I mean, just that alone - how wonderful is that? I think it's very wonderful, indeed, and I salute everyone who's worked with, attended, participated in or supported the Western States Center over 21 years!