Mr. Littlefield's remarks for Insurance Day Luncheon, April 18, 1956, Commercial Club We meet here today, not so much to commemorate a fire and earthquake, but rather to pay tribute to the men and the women who converted that tragedy into a triumph. We commemorate disaster because from it springs the victory of human perseverance and resourcefulness over disorganization and the lowest ebb of spirit. Such transformation - from defeat to triumph -marks the highest fulfillment of man's inner strength to cope with the forces of life. We commemorate disaster -- because disaster inevitably reveals our nobler side, and we are proud. So it was with San Francisco. In three days fire destroyed what man was many years in the making. Out of the rubble was born the spirit and the inspiration. Tragedy released the reserves of courage, determination, and unselfishness latent in mankind, hidden in ordinary times and hoarded for use in great emergency. If we go back fifty years ago today, there is more to be learned from watching the men at work than gazing in awe at the destruction. Stand on Nob Hill with me and look down. See if you will Young A, P. Giannini opening up his bank in the best place he could find, lending money to meet the problems of the day, barely pausing on his quest to build the biggest bank in the world. Mayor Schmidt, an undistinguished political hack, who suddenly became equal to the task at hand. The Committee of Fifty for the Relief and Reconstruction of San Francisco, planning and working for the future while the fire burned about them. The Red Cross, handling with distinction its first great disaster, the Army, the Navy, all responding magnificently