Jan 9, 2008

Rotary minutes From January 9, 2008
Reporter; Herb Harrison, CLU

President Beetle called the meeting to order, Rod Funderburk gave the invocation and directed the Pledge of Allegiance. John Hanson announced our guests; The Honorable Chip Huggins, The Honorable Joe Wilson our guest speaker. We also had prospective members Emily King and Bob Fountain. In attendance was a large number of Interact Club Members. Lyman Whitehead charmed us with his humor. Ginny Barr announced the students from DJJ had raised over $200 in order to sponsor a hole for the golf tournament. This act of giving is a first for many of the students. Irmo Chamber of Commerce President Chuck Larson informed us of the Chamber Meeting to be held the same day.

Larry Stohs introduced Congressman Joe Wilson. The Congressman spoke of this past year’s accomplishments and gave us a preview of some of the issues ahead for 2008. He mentioned his support for Rotary as he has been a Rotarian for 34 years. In review he spoke of the National Guard Empowerment Act, his visits to Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. He mentioned we continue to experience job growth which has lasted over the past 52 months and unemployment remains low at 5.8%. Looking ahead the SC Guard 218th will return home May 2008. On the agenda is an effort to continue to strengthen our borders, the support of continued development of alternative fuels, building new refineries and support nuclear energy. Simplifying the tax code is a goal along with health care reform. The Congressman then answered several questions before we adjourned.