The June 22 meeting of Charlotte Rotary was called to order by President Ronnie promptly at 12:40pm. Bob Knight introduced numerous guests and visiting Rotarians and Leland Parks delivered the Health and Happiness report. Jim Barnhardt talked about a Vacation with a Vision and offered Rotarians the opportunity to assist in building one room cinder block houses in Honduras for those who were still homeless from Hurricane Mitch. This would be a collaborative effort including JAARS. Marilyn Bowler introduced Rick Jackson, General Manager of WBT-AM and FM, as the newest member of Charlotte Rotary. Rick moved here in 1992 from Denver, Colorado. He has two grown daughters and two grandchildren and is involved in numerous civic activities. Carroll Thomas led us in song and George Thompson delivered the invocation before Jerry Orr introduced Billy Wireman, President of Queens College, for his annual update on Asia.
     Billy made four significant points regarding US/Asia relations. His initial point was that there is more baggage regarding China/American relationships today then any time since Tienneman Square and possibly as far back as the 1940’s. Obviously the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade has caused great tension as has the Chinese spy scandal here in America. We believe the Chinese are guilty of espionage but do not yet have enough information to bring charges. Additionally, China wants admission to the World Trade Organization, but we want them to dismantle numerous inefficient and ineffective state enterprises first. China is resisting this because it will add 25 million people to their already large unemployment rolls. Human rights issues remain a constant thorn primarily because we see them in terms of individual rights and the Chinese see them more in the role of a big government giving their citizens an opportunity for economic rights. Conflicting strategies and viewpoints between the US and China regarding Taiwan as well as North and South Korea add to the tension.
     Billy’s second major point was that China is not anywhere near being a super power. Our economy measured in gross domestic product is $7.2 trillion and China’s is $560 billion. Our military budget is $264 billion and China’s is $32 billion. We have 7,150 strategic nuclear weapons and China has 149. We have 178 long range strategic bombers and China has zero. Billy gave numerous other statistics showing the vast gaps between our two economies and our two militaries. He concluded by pointing out that the US has numerous allies including 15 NATO countries plus many others whereas China has only North Korea and Pakistan. 

RICK JACKSON
Joined 1999

WLNK & WBT Radio
One Julian Price Place (28208)
374-3954
FAX 338-3062

     Rick Jackson was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He attended Metropolitan State College, majoring in Journalism and Management.
     Rick has been with Jefferson-Pilot Communications since 1980. He was a morning show host on KYGO in Denver from 1980-1992. In addition to his morning show duties, he took on the Program Director position from 1986 to 1992.
     Promoted to Vice President and General Manager of WBT AM and PM and "The Link," Rick moved to Charlotte in 1992.
     He is still a host of a nationally syndicated weekend radio show called "The Country Music Hall of Fame."
     Rick is married to Gina, has two daughters, Kelly and Jennifer, and two grandchildren, Cheyanne and Jackson.
     He is an avid mountain climber and hiker, and he enjoys golfing and running.
     Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Rick.

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      Billy’s third point was that there was a solid trading economy between China and America that is not going away. This trade relationship totals $80 billion with the US importing $60 billion from China and exporting $20 billion to China. The United States also has numerous investments in China approximating $21 billion as compared to an approximate $300 million US investment in Russia. There are also 60,000 Chinese students attending college in America.
     Billy’s final point was that Asian countries with a Confuscian background will always have significant challenges to succeed economically because of their dependence on order vs. chaos or allowing change to happen. To have a growing and renewing economy, a country must manage the proper relationship between chaos and order. Asian countries have stamped out chaos and thus never provide an opportunity for renewal and growth. The turnaround in the automobile industry from Japan’s dominance to current US dominance is an example. America has also made great strides in civil rights, women’s rights and environmental issues because of citizen based demand for change. These changes could not happen in Asian countries.
     Responding to questions, Billy said that China’s trade surplus with the US is being used to subsidize the state owned enterprises that are so costly as well as provide additional infrastructure. He also stated that Hong Kong has generally been left alone by China and that they are still a fully free democracy. He also indicated that a civil uprising was possible due to the huge numbers of people in China and because civil revolt is deep in their culture. Finally, Billy commented that the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea was the most intense and volatile area in the world today.
     As always, Billy’s comments were most informative and entertaining and we expect to have him back next year for what will be his 11^th annual visit with Charlotte Rotary.

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OBSERVATIONS

     "Exit the Tidwells" was the title of an editorial in the Business Journal that bemoans the loss of Isaiah and wife Hellena to Atlanta where Wachovia has transferred them.
     Corinne Alien has been missed as she has left her post as President of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Education Foundation to become Executive Director of the Benwood Foundation in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
     Reagin Warren and wife were pictured in the Observer as they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
     Bill Spencer and the Foundation For the Carolinas were featured as the nonprofit organization of the week by the Business Journal. The Foundation has assets of $220 million and distributes $32 million annually to more than 500 Charlotte organizations.
     Ed Ruff was on the list of the top 50 highest-paid executives of publicly held companies for 1998 in the Business Journal.
     Julian AIdridge was elected to be a delegate to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church held in Cleveland, Ohio, in April of 1999.
     John Luby as Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Educational Group and John l.assiter as Vice Chair of Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education signed a letter to the Business Journal urging support for schools on several fronts.
     Fourteen presidents of Charlotte Rotary were Davidson College graduates: Perrin Quarles 1920, Bill Thompson 1924, Ham McKay 1926, Pat Gilchrist 1950, Bob Bryant 1965, Don Davidson 1972, Price Gwynn III 1981, Martin Waters 1985, Bill Loftin. Sr. 1986, Tom Belk 1988, Bill Wood 1992, Jim Appleby 1996, Fred Lowrance 1997, Worth Williamson 1999. Warner Hall, our president in 1973, was awarded an honorary degree in 1981 and was a trustee of the college for 27 years.
     Jim Kelley is on the Executive Committee of Charlotte Emergency Housing.
     John Belk endorses CPCC as an education that works in the Business Journal. His wife Claudia is a long-time director of the CPCC Foundation.

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