Our fundamentals are strong. Our pipeline is broad and deep, and our field forces are second to none.
Pfizer success depends heavily on the insights, skill and ingenuity of our people.
And because of them, I'm extremely confident about our company's future. Mr. Steere, who has been chairman of Pfizer since 1991, is retiring from the post effective May 1. It is fitting that, today, we honor the architect of that success, our chairman, Bill Steere. Today, Pfizer is the world's most recognized and respected name in pharmaceuticals. Dr. McKinnell said that in the first quarter of 2001, Pfizer had net income growth of 34 percent and diluted earnings per share growth of 32 percent, with both results excluding certain significant items and merger related costs.