Bob Esposito, President, Vice President and Chief of Operations, Times Square Alliance
Guest Speaker at the Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology New York

I speak on behalf of the 27,000 residents and 321,000 employees of Times Square when I say that what you have done with this historic building deserves our gratitude.

It is very true that Times Square is the international crossroads of cultural diversity that is New York City itself. And it is therefore appropriate that the Church of Scientology is such an important part of our community. For you stand for diversity — you welcome everyone, no matter their race, color or creed. And you respect the rights of all men, and for that, I commend and thank you.

We need more people like the Church of Scientology in our community.

It is also true that Times Square represents not only the very pulse of our great city, but of American culture as a whole. After all, it is here that so many trends are set and spread across this planet. All told, one and a half million individuals walk this section of New York every day — they have come here to pursue their dreams and find some measure of Freedom.

Therefore, it is only fitting that Times Square is now home to this new Church of Scientology. Because while the building itself is magnificent, and while I could go on endlessly about the care you took as I watched your progress month by month, the real point is not the "material" lift to West 46th Street. Rather, it is what you do inside these walls.

As your Founder, Mr. L. Ron Hubbard, so rightly put it, "Individuals, and not masses, form the culture of a race." And to my mind, nothing bears that statement out more than Times Square. For here is a place where dreams of people, when realized, uplift the whole of our culture. Because when you use L. Ron Hubbard’s technology to bring those dreams of people to fruition, you not only contribute to the magic that is Times Square, you are influencing the whole world.

So, while it’s been said before, it can not be emphasized enough. This is the one and only place for New York’s Church of Scientology, and I am extremely proud to have you as a prominent member of our community.

And so on behalf of the Times Square Alliance I welcome and congratulate you and look forward to all we will accomplish together in this great city.

Thank you.