Statement from Tom Linebarger and Carolyn Butler Lee on tragic events in Buffalo

We are sad and angry that another racist gunman committed a mass shooting over the weekend in Buffalo, New York, targeting the Black community. While we will learn more over the days and weeks to come, officials have confirmed that the shooting that killed 10 people and injured three others was racially motivated and constituted a shocking act of domestic terrorism.  

As you may know, Cummins has a distributor located in Buffalo and we have confirmed that all our employees there are safe. Thank you to those who have expressed concern.  

Race-based hate crimes are often perpetrated against those who are marginalized in some way, and it’s frustrating that communities which are attacked most frequently are those most disadvantaged by our systems and processes. This heinous crime appears to be motivated by a disturbingly offensive extremist theory, which has no place at Cummins, in our communities or in our nation. No member of our society should live in fear based on the color of their skin. 

Almost two years ago, George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, and a national reckoning on race intensified. Sadly, racism in the U.S. continues to threaten our communities and our democratic norms and that is why we are resolute in our commitment to speak out against hate and replace it with a deep and abiding appreciation for diversity, equity and inclusion. 

We are committed to not only speak, but also act to create equitable, inclusive, and safe workplaces and communities, consistent with Cummins core values. We have and will continue to invest in extensive training and resources to support meaningful dialogue about race to ensure our employees fully understand the deep roots of systemic racism in the U.S. and how it affects perceptions and actions today. Through initiatives like Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE), Cummins has taken a leading role in undoing systemic discrimination against the Black community in the U.S., both to address racial inequities and eliminate racism.  We’re working on police reform, criminal justice reform, economic empowerment, and social justice reform in healthcare, housing, workforce development and civil rights, including voting rights and education. We are relentlessly committed to change, and the tragedy in Buffalo has us again looking at where we can do more or engage differently. 

We all have a role to play in advancing equity and inclusion. You can help by: 

• Share and listen to the experiences of your colleagues, friends and neighbors. Understand if someone doesn’t have the emotional capacity to engage. 
• Speak up and speak out against bigotry and hate in our communities. 

The tragic loss of life has become too common in the U.S. We also want to recognize that there was a series of other violent events over the weekend across the country, including killings that impacted communities from the West Coast to the South to the Midwest. The violence must stop. 

Please join us as we stand together for a more inclusive future.

Tom Linebarger

Chairman and CEO, Cummins Inc. 

Carolyn Butler-Lee                    

Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion, Cummins Inc.