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 Dr.
Bernd Fischer
Chief Economic Aide
German Embassy in DC
By: Bob Barber
Kurt Waldthausen introduced our speaker by noting that “Germans love
North Carolina.” Kurt illustrated that statement with the fact that
there are 270 German companies operating in North Carolina, that
have made business investments of $4 billion, and that employ 30,000
people.
The speaker, Dr. Bernd Fischer, is the Chief Economic Aide in the
German Embassy in Washington, D.C. Dr. Fischer is a graduate of the
University of Heidelberg, the University of Arizona, earning Ph.D.
from the University of Heidelberg. He has previously served in
diplomatic post for Germany in Japan and the United Nations. He is
also a Rotarian from Charlottenburg, a suburb of Berlin.
Charlottenburg is named for Sophia Charlotte, Queen of Prussia, and
of the same family as Charlotte’s namesake, Queen Charlotte of
England.
Dr. Fischer reiterated that Germans love the Carolinas for three
main reasons:
- People in the Carolinas are very friendly and very
foreigner-friendly.
- The quality of life in the Carolinas—warmer than Germany
and lots of golf courses.
- Very good transportation links back to Germany, to markets
throughout the U.S., and to overseas markets.
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He related that strong business relationships
help with political relations and, thus, despite the differences
between the nations over the military action in Iraq, relations
between Germany and the U.S. remain strong.
Germany has supported the U.S. war on terror in other ways, however.
The number of German troops serving in Afghanistan is second only to
those of the U.S. among forces of the international coalition in
Afghanistan. Dr. Fischer related that Germany is very hesitant to
commit German troops to combat for three principal reasons:
- Germany still utilizes the
draft to populate its military forces; hence, political
support for any military commitment is essential.
- The German experience of the
bombing, deaths, and destruction in WWII still traumatizes the
German populace.
- Politically the WWII
experience of tolerating the morally bankrupt regime of Adolf
Hitler still traumatizes the German populace.
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Germany has, however,
come to the realization that as a nation Germany must help make the
recovery of Iraq a success—that Iraq cannot be allowed to
deteriorate into anarchy. Germany has forgiven the debt of Iraq,
just as German debts were forgiven by other nations after WWI and
WWII. The forgiveness of debt, along with the investment of capital
in post-war Germany by the U.S., enabled the establishment of the
strong German economy and democracy of today.
Dr. Fischer related that the German economy leads the unified
European economy and that the introduction of the Euro as a common
currency has been a tremendous unifying force in Central Europe.
Effective May 1, ten more European countries will join the European
economic union and create even more economic flexibility among the
countries. The adoption of the Euro is a unifying force that likely
will never be reversed and Germany is at the geographic center of
unified Europe.
Dr. Fischer related that the strength of the European economies is
represented by the high exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and
the Euro. He said that unfortunately for U.S. travelers, that makes
the cost of a bratwurst about $3.00. But he said that it is worth it
because it is very good bratwurst. Some in the audience noted that
it is still cheaper than the bratwurst at Bank of America stadium.
Head Table:
Mary Ciminelli, Helmut Deussen, Kurt
Waldthausen, Alan Adler, Tony Marciano, Tom Robertson
Visitors and Guests:
Invocation: George Thompson; Visitors & Guests: Doug Booth;
Health & Happiness: Russell Ranson; Song: Gregg Walker
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Attendance
Record |
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2/03/04 |
2/04/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
16 |
29 |
| club
members |
179 |
187 |
| total
attendance |
195 |
216 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
10 Marcia and
Pete Sloan
13 Me-Me and Charlie Briley
14 Lee and John Tabor
14 Joanna and Biff Virkler
16 Joanne and Bob Alexy
16 Pam and Tom Barnhardt
16 Deanie and Ralston Pound |
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New
Members | Resignations |
Joey Godbold
Todd Stevens |
n/a |
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| Roaming
Rotarians |
Frank Watson,
Atlantis Casino, Reno, NV | |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
10 George Robinette,
Beckley, W.VA
10 John Rogers,
Bennettsville, SC
14 Gene Bratek, Sommerville, NJ
14 Buddy Chatfield,
Montgomery, AL
14 Luther Moore, Statesville, NC
15 Catherine Browning,
Charlotte, NC |
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2003-04
RI
Theme
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z Ralston
Pound will have knee surgery on Monday the 9th and
will be away from Rotary for a couple weeks.
z
Welcome to new club members Joey
Godbold and Todd Stevens.
z
Reagin Warren,
longtime member of this club, keeps up with everyone through the
weekly Reporter. Reagin says he misses seeing everyone and
though he could join the Chattanooga Rotary, it wouldn’t be the
same. After so many years in one place, he’ll just keep the fond
memories from Charlotte. Reagin and Lorene enjoy living at
Alexian Village in Signal Mountain, TN and highly recommend the
facility. On a health note, Reagin had a total knee replacement
last spring and is doing great. He ended his message by saying
he’ll be wearing his Panthers cap with hopes of a win. Contact
Reagin at
reagin@comcast.net.
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SALVATION ARMY BELL
RINGERS did a fantastic job manning the kettle at
the square in December. Over the 15 day period, Charlotte
Rotarians collected $1,449 – which equals about $100 per 2 hour
session. The highest single session was December 3 with a total
of $189.24. (I believe that day was covered by
Tim Newman, Jim Adams, Worth Williamson,
and John Snyder.) The
Salvation Army said far beyond the dollars raised, we would
never know how much it meant for the Rotary Club of Charlotte to
be at the square with the kettle.
CHARLOTTE STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM:
Charlotte Rotary will be hosting one inbound foreign exchange
student for the 2004-2005 school year. This student will most
likely be a rising high school senior and will be in Charlotte
from September 2004-June 2005. We are looking for 3 or 4
families to host this student in their home for 2 to 3 months
each. This is an excellent chance for your family to have an
international experience for a few months. An information
session will be held in the next few weeks. Please contact
Don Millen at 704-342-3491,
extension 100 if your family would be potentially interested in
hosting.
JOINT ROTARY MEETING:
The February 24th meeting will be held at the Adams Mark Hotel,
starting at 12:00 Noon. All fifteen clubs in the Charlotte area
will attend and reservations are required. Please complete the
enclosed form and return to the Rotary office by February 16th.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Volunteers are needed for this year’s project with Habitat for
Humanity, which kicks off February 12th. If you are unable to
handle the construction end, try your luck at providing a meal.
Edwin Peacock is coordinating the food effort and needs your
help. Contact Edwin at 704-347-1080, ext 13 or
epeacockiii@juno.com.
VICTORIA HOSPITAL LAPAROSCOPIC
EQUIPMENT PROJECT: The Victoria Hospital is
located south of Cape Town, South Africa. Built in the early
1900s, it now serves a growing community of approximately
400,000 people. The typical patient is from the low
income/unemployed and most are unable to pay for medical
treatment. In July 2001, Rotary Club of Constantia made the
Victoria Hospital its major project and they have provided much
needed equipment and assistance. The Rotary Club of Charlotte is
partnering with the Constantia Club to provide laparoscopic
equipment, which will cost $42,290. By combining club donations
with matching funds available through The Rotary Foundation and
District 7680, this project will become a reality.
Congratulations to members of the World Community Service
Committee, chaired by Pete Larson,
for their work on this ambitious project. And to Project Leader
Carol Jordan for her
expertise and guidance. This project has been submitted to the
District as a Showcase Project nomination.
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