US SENATOR RUDY BOSCHWITZ: MAGNIFICENT AMERICA: AMERICA'S ROLE IN SPREADING FREEDOM TO THE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD
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Rudy Boschwitz was born in Berlin, Germany. His father moved the family from Germany after Hitler came to power. Settling in New Rochelle, New York, young Rudy attended Johns Hopkins University and then received a law degree from New York University, all by age 22. He joined his brother in a plywood manufacturing business, and started Plywood Minnesota in Fridley, Minnesota in 1963. Rudy Boschwitz was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978 and served until 1991. He served both President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush, first as Emissary to Ethiopia in 1991 and then in 2005 as Ambassador to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. Senator Boschwitz and his wife Ellen have 4 sons, two granddaughters and five grandsons, considering their family their greatest success.Senator Boschwitz’s presentation, entitled “Magnificent America,” traced the history of the world since WWII, noted the growth of Democracy, the rise of 4 billion people world-wide out of poverty into the middle class and the longest period of time in history that there have been no wars between major powers. After WWII ended, 12 countries in the world were democracies. According to ratings from Freedom House, there are now 88 “free” countries, or democracies. The significance of this development is that there has never been a war between two democracies. Democracies embrace free economic institutions, civil rights and human rights. The poverty rate, (formerly half of the world’s population lived in poverty) has been cut in half, now as 25%.
The leadership of the United States has been critical in spreading democracy. Some of the lessons learned from Presidents like Lincoln and FDR in healing nations after a war is to “let them down easy.” Helping war torn countries to rebuild their economies has led former enemies to become friends. Senator Boschwitz pointed to the 1919 Treaty of Versailles as an example of what can happen when not following this policy. Germany was treated harshly in the treaty, and felt they were penalized. Hitler rose to power in the aftermath and 24 years later, WWII began. The Marshall Plan, considered by the Senator as one of history’s most unselfish acts, rebuilt friend and foe alike. A monetary system, based on the dollar, was created to help nations recover from war, and trade barriers were lowered to help build economies. The Senator concluded that the “world is a better place because of the actions of the U.S.”
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAIG LACOUNT
Craig was born in Alexandria, MN, the 4th of 5 children. His family moved to Burnsville, MN when Craig was 5 years old where he grew up loving and playing sports. His father was in the golf business, and Craig was allowed to travel with his father, which he enjoyed. Craig graduated from Burnsville High School, where he met his future wife. They will be celebrating their 36th wedding anniversary this year and live in Apple Valley. Craig’s son Peter works in the battery business with Craig, and daughter Sarah is getting her masters in accounting from St. Thomas University. They have a growing number of grandchildren to dote on, and especially enjoy their family time at their cabin on Potato Lake near Park Rapids. Craig and his wife love to travel and have been all over the U.S. Last summer the LaCount’s took their first trip to Europe, visiting Munich, Germany. This summer, they may go to Norway or France. Craig’s wife is retired from Delta Airlines, so they often take last minute trips by catching a “hop” on a Delta flight. Craig was introduced to Rotary by his father-in-law who was active in the Burnsville Rotary.HAPPY FINES
- P.G. Narayanan reminded members that the EP Community Foundation Gala is Saturday, April 27th at Bearpath. You can get tickets from any Foundation Board member.
- Craig Blixrud is happy his daughter Rachel, who will be graduating from college in May, has gotten a job. Congrats Rachel!
- George Esbensen encouraged members to support the golf event on May 20th raising funds for our firefighters and their families.
- Irene Kelly was excited to be taking a tour of Apple Valley with the local police chief, and taking her grandchildren along for the experience.
- John Estall invited the club to sign up to attend and support the Above and Beyond banquet honoring Eden Prairie High School Students. The event will be April 29 th at 6:00 p.m. at EPHS.
- Suz Kutina encouraged Rotarians to bring guests to our upcoming social events. She is also happy to be escaping the Minnesota winter by taking a trip to California to visit her sister.
Ellen Boschwitz - Guest of Speaker
Wooj Byun - Guest of Speaker
Dave Duca - Rotarian
Whitney Hall - Guest of John Crudele
Janet Kang
Mary Jo Sherwood - Guest of Frank Sherwood